Back to School!

As a school year begins...a reflection on the vocation of teaching.........
Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples,
“I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed!
Reflection
Jesus saw Himself as something of a firestarter…He saw Himself not in terms of offering calm and quiet but lighting fires in our hearts, of giving us passion, energy, and enthusiasm for God, for justice, for peace and for all the values of His Kingdom.
He invites each and every one of us, especially teachers in Catholic schools, to get involved in that project, to light fires in the hearts of all those around us, to give them something of our passion, our energy, and our enthusiasm. As one noted academic puts it, teachers are called to be ‘arsonists of the heart’ – I love that phrase.
But as teachers, as educators what specific fires are we asked to engender and kindle right here and right now. I would suggest that it's our job to light three fires of the hearts of the kids – the fire of learning, the fire of creativity and the fire of faith.
It’s up to us to give the kids a real, tangible passion for learning about the world in which we live. You know how many of our kids are from deprived backgrounds, how many of our kids seem trapped in that cycle of poverty, how many of our kids have come with their families to Scotland looking for a new life – the only way we can really help them, I’m convinced, is through the gift of education. A good education changes things dramatically. A good education gives them a way out. That means you are the key to giving them and their families a brighter future. It’s a weighty responsibility – but I know it’s a responsibility all of you relish, a responsibility every one of you rises to every day. Every day you come to school please continue to light that fire. You have no idea of the difference you can make to the lives of our kids.
The second fire we’re asked to light is the fire of creativity. Creativity is in short supply – it’s a precious commodity – you won’t find it much in industry or in the media or in politics and definitely not in the Church but you have it in abundance and that’s a true gift. In the Christian understanding, every time we think or do something creative we’re in a sublime way participating in the very life of God, the Creator of all that is, we’re grasping something of the divine spark.
As I read on Pinterest last night….creativity isn’t a mood or a gift it’s the very nature of God inside us. Please pass it on! Let your creativity be contagious! When the kids in our new primary one leave education, who knows what kind of jobs they will have or what skills they will require – one thing they will need is creativity – light that fire in their hearts every day.
The third fire we are asked to light is the fire of faith. many of our kids, you are the Church, you are the clergy and you are the community of faith. You are the Spiritual leader of the kids in your class. That’s awesome responsibility but its also slightly scary. One thing is sure – we can’t give what we haven’t got. We can’t really inspire others in the faith if it's not a major factor in our lives. Maybe we need to ensure that the fire of faith burns in our hearts – confidently and consistently.
Please, this year keep up the good work for which we are so grateful and continue to light and fuel those three fires: learning, creativity, and faith.
God bless on your journey through this academic year

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