Mystery,+Wonder+and+Awe

Mystery, Wonder and Awe //For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. **Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8**// I//n that body, the life of Christ is poured into the believers, who, through the sacraments, are united in a hidden and real way to Christ who suffered and was glorified. Through baptism we are formed in the likeness of Christ. **Lumen Gentium,** **(Dogmatic Constitution on the Church)**//

__Mystery__ is the inexplicable greatness of God - his creations, his unending love for us, the miracles of life, the death and resurrection of Jesus. To accept mystery is to accept that "God is". To say "Amen" is to accept mystery. But, even in not fully comprehending the how or the why of the mysteries of our faith, I still am fulfilled, excited and empassioned by their fruits.

When I demonstrate __Wonder__ - it is because in prayer and participation in the Sacraments, I have come to a deeper understanding and acceptance of the mystery of God. I have approached closer. I have internalized his intentions for me and the world. I am fulfilled and I give glory to God.

In __Awe__, I revere God. I am respectful, I am appreciative, I praise and I petition, and I remember to thank. When I am faced with the unknown or a decision I have to make, I experience some fear for what God has planned - because I know that everything is ultimately in his hands**//.//** Essential to my faith is celebration of the Mass. In spite of the mystery and the wonder, I remain in awe of the power of God. In the consecration of the Eucharist we are presented with the greatest mystery of all and "mystery" can be the answer instead of a question. The Bible and ancient Scriptures provide us with clues to the life of Christ. Prayer and reflection allow us to ponder the power of God as well as his forgiveness and they invite us to embrace the covenant he offers. He waits for our participation. I begin the school year with a "class retreat". I firmly believe that building community is foremost in creating a healthy and happy class environment from the first week. Our class retreats are held at the church hall and they end in a class Mass. We are blessed to have a school priest who is quite comfortable with the children attending the altar as he consecrates the Eucharist. Each year my students have gathered around the altar table and watched step-by-step as our parish priest raises the wine and the bread and declares these gifts "the body and blood of Christ". I have taken pictures of my young students' faces as the gifts are lifted to heaven...and their eyes follow every move Father B makes...I look at these pictures and I realize the awe and the wonder that they embody and inspire as they witness this sacrament. They believe! This intimate celebration of the Eucharist with these young children helps me to 'see God in their eyes". When I think of the importance of this moment for my students - this becomes my " __God Moment__" ...a moment when I truly understand that it is incumbent upon me as a Catholic school teacher to nourish and sustain this faith they have...to help them know that they are part of a bigger community - they are integral to the "communion of faith" This explains my " __Sacramental Outlook__"... to see God's mystery and love and wonder through the eyes of the child I once was - trusting and ready for the challenges he places before me. Prayer and reflection continue to help me find "hesed" in everything I experience - to "live life as meaningful and worthwhile as ...a gracious gift..." Groome, p.81. 