This spring, I have had the opportunity to become certified as a Level I catechist for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. CGS is a beautiful program that allows children 3-6 years of age to build a relationship with Christ and know his love. This relationship is the starting point and central theme of the catechesis. The children are not told of their relationship with Jesus - they discover it.

As an adult, I am learning a lot from the class. My inner child is reflecting on a lot. As adults, do we make enough time to simply contemplate Jesus’ love for us; and to embrace the joy that comes from resting in that love? Children take to this relationship with Jesus so easily, with an enormous amount of affection for and trust in the person of Christ. Especially when it is presented to them in a context and manner made for them. The Atrium, where the children experience this
relationship with their Good Shepherd, is their size and contains only the most simple and essential items. It is there
that their tiny hands and quiet minds do the work of contemplation; there that they wonder… could the Good Shepherd possibly know all of his sheep?; there that they hear that “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”

This first level of CGS is the building block for the child’s experience of biblical history, the Liturgy, and the Eucharist. It has been a chance for me to reflect on my own experience as well… How do I fit into salvation history? Am I truly present to Christ as he is to me in the Liturgy and the Eucharist? After all, during the Mass, the “bread that we offer you… that will become the bread of life” is the “fruit of the earth and work of human hands.” God wants us to work together with Him; to participate with Him; to be in relationship with Him. How fortunate these Catechesis of the Good Shepherd children are to have this building block, and to begin to ponder this relationship and participation at such a young age.

Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt us adults to go back to the simple and essential as well. To contemplate our relationship with the Lord. Who is this Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep? Do I really believe that if the Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want?

I pray you have the opportunity, for the remainder of this Lenten season, to take time to contemplate and wonder at the wonderful gift that is Jesus.