Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Towards the end of the Gospel accounts of Matthew and Mark we encounter the Great Commission. It occurs after the Resurrection and right before the Ascension and in it, Our Blessed Lord tells his disciples to go and spread the Good News. In Matthew’s version He tells them to teach all nations. In Mark’s version, the disciples are to preach the Gospel. But in the Great Commission, we come to realize that sharing knowledge of Jesus Christ is a necessary part of the Church’s mission here on Earth. And the concepts of teaching and preaching are intertwined in accomplishing that.
I bring up the Great Commission in my letter this week in light of the national celebration of Catholic Schools Week, which begins this Sunday. It’s an opportunity every year to look at and rejoice in all the good work the Catholic Schools have to offer our students and our families. Between our dedicated teachers and staff, to our wonderful families and volunteers, to the students themselves, there’s certainly a lot to rejoice in. Every year I marvel at how dedicated our faculty is in providing a quality education, not just in the classroom subject areas, but most especially in the arena of faith and living a Christian life. It’s truly a blessing for me to have the confidence that those who are entrusted with teaching our children are doing so from a Christ-centered perspective. In a very real way, that is the Great Commission in action.
I’ve always been struck that Matthew opted for teach and Mark went with preach in their written account of the Great Commission. Is there a particular reason for the difference in word choice? Or is a case of looking at two sides of the same coin? And what does that distinction or lack thereof mean for us?
I firmly believe that one of the hallmarks of our parish community of St. Charles is focused on education, particularly through our school. Yes, a lot of time and resources goes into our school and in our Religious Education program. Yes, sometimes the parish calendar bends a bit to work around the needs of the school. And many of us have connections with the school in particular, as former and current teachers, alumni, or parents who’ve sent their children to school here. It’s all wonderful, but it’s also somewhat sacrificial. But the school is also keenly beneficial to our parish as well. If you worry that the parish is getting older or ask where the young people are, I want to direct you to the real impact our school has in attracting and keeping younger families engaged with the parish. Without the school, there would not be as many young families coming to Mass and getting involved in the parish. In many ways, that teaching and preaching of the Great Commission comes together in our parish and our school.
Peace and Goodness,
Fr. Dan
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