Word of the Week

Pentecost

Informed: Katecheo (Gk.): meaning “inform, instruct” or “teach orally; resound”. This Greek origin is the basis for the English word Catechism.

Informed, in its original Christian context, is the process by which we are educated in the Christian faith. Informed, defined as catechesis, is the systematic teaching of Christian faith in an organic form to make sense of our call to become missionaries for Christ. The focus and aim of all catechesis is to have a personal encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. Catechesis is achieved by placing the Body of Christ into a deeper sacramental communion with our Lord leading to on-going conversion. We must remember that Christ is the principal mediator into the love of the Father (CCC 4-10, 426).

The verb inform(ed) is used 8 times in the New Testament. It is linked to the transmission of the gospel that was orally handed on by the first disciples. The word is first seen in Luke’s opening address to Theophilus, in which he wishes to confirm “the truth concerning the things of which you have been informed’ (Lk.1:4). Paul uses the term to describe that simple and clear instruction in the faith is more beneficial to the body of Christ than “ten thousand words in a tongue” (1 Cor.14:19).  He also uses the term to describe the call of local Christians who teach the faith to assist in both material and financial support (Gal.6:6).  Luke employs the term in his account of the early church to describe the Christian education of Apollos. A man of great fervor versed in the OT, became a leading catechist in the area of Alexandria with his knowledge of Christology (Lk.18:24-28). Luke also uses this term to describe the great many works of Paul to the gentiles in his teaching ministry (Acts 21:21-24) (Hahn and Minch, 17).

Catechesis is to “Form” people “in” Christ that they be “informed” in Truth! It is the practice of resounding the words of Christ in new and creative ways to engage the mind and heart of man to champion souls for Christ.

The process of being informed, or catechized, is a vocation of both obedience and understanding, rooted in prayer. First, obedience, because it calls out our need “to listen” and give our ascent to The Deposit of Faith, which hands on the person and faith of Christ in his Church (2 Thess.2.15; Mt.16.13-30). Second, understanding, because it leads us to a fuller sense of how to live the Christian pilgrimage in heroic charity.

“Every family parish must rediscover their vocation to catechesis for the sake of the Christian world.”

–Pope John Paul II

Primary Texts Consulted

•  Catholic Bible. Suggested trans. Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition.
•  Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd Edition, 1997.
•  Hahn, Scott and Minch , Curtis. Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: The Gospel of Luke, RSV, 2nd ed. San Francisco : Ignatius Press, 2003.

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