Get Out of the Way

Last Wednesday, after teaching my eighth grade faith formation class, I went home and cried.  On top of the facts that the class is one of the most disrespectful classes I’ve had in the past five years and that there are only two or three students, out of the 16, whose families attend mass, a group of them let me know that attending weekly classes was not the slightest bit important and that they didn’t understand why they had to go “just so they could get confirmed.”  We were having a discussion and they clearly and directly stated that “they never learn anything, it is a waste of time, and there should be other options.”  For some reason, hearing these things really hurt.  

As I was thinking about that evening and why those words seemed to sting more than they should have, I thought maybe it was because I try hard each week to engage them in the content through discussions and activities rather than spending 75 minutes just reading from a textbook.  I try to teach them about topics that they maybe are not really familiar with.  I introduce a new saint each week to help them learn about some of the many incredible examples we have of those who loved and served God with everything.  And ultimately, I try to do all I can to help the faith come alive and for them to come to know that experiencing the infinite love of Jesus through the Catholic Church is exciting and life-changing.  Different thoughts ran through my head.  I wondered if what I was doing was pointless and asked myself if I should even bother. 

A few days later, I came across a quote from St. Teresa of Calcutta in which she says, “Don’t give in to discouragement.  If you are discouraged it is a sign of pride because it shows you trust in your own powers.  Never bother about people’s opinions.  Be obedient to truth.  For with humble obedience, you will never be disturbed.”  As usual, God came in and revealed this profound truth, gently revealing my weaknesses.  As I reflected, I was reminded that I need to rely on God and his abilities, rather than my own.  I realized that through this difficult and challenging class, God has been providing me with opportunities for humility.  I need to let Him do the work and humbly submit to Him, so as not to be discouraged.  If I cling to the truth and trust more in the power of God, I will be able to continue on when it seems impossible.

How many times do we stand in the way of what God wants to do in and through us?  How many times have we blocked Him out, putting up walls around our hearts and thinking we can do something by our own strength and abilities?  How many times do we think we can do anything in our lives without Him?  Relying on ourselves will always leave us discouraged.  If we are not inviting God to fully take charge of all that we do, it might be because we do not fully trust Him.
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Lord, please empty me of myself so that You are all that is left.  Flood my soul with your love and mercy so that my life would bear the fruits that come from serving You.  Help me get out of the way and know that without You, I can do nothing.  Give me the grace to cooperate with Your promptings and to serve You with complete obedience and confidence in Your ability.  Amen.