Threshholds of Conversion: "Can I Trust You?"



 

 

Catechesis, which is supposed to be the teaching and maturing stage of evangelization, doesn't make a lot of sense if a person does not know who they are learning about and have a basic sense of trust. Trust can be "a positive association with Jesus Christ, the Church, a Christian believer, or something identifiably Christian." Trust is a bridge which allows a person to continue on their journey to an intentional relationship with Christ. If that bridge of trust does not exist, the journey will not go very far, so our first job is to help build it.  

Building trust and building a relationship often go hand in hand, particularly when trust has been violated, such as in the sex-abuse scandal, or if a child or adult and their family has been turned away from a church or program because of their special needs.  Often it is a person living their life in integrity, compassion, warmth and joy, who becomes a doorway through which others can begin to establish trust again.  This takes time, and to do it we have to (as Pope Francis says) take on the "smell of the sheep" and get a little dirty.  This means getting to know the person, listening, gaining knowledge and understanding of their joys and struggles, and as much as possible being present for both with that integrity, compassion, warmth and joy.  If this sounds daunting, remember this is not just a task for one person.  Anyone can be this "doorway" for another, and we are each attracted to different things, different people.      

In a classroom setting what this looks like is a teacher modeling love and respect for each student at all times including addressing students by name, and modeling respectful language, tone and volume- also by addressing disrespectful behavior firmly.  If this is done in a particular way when others are around, this example can end up reaching parishioners more generally. 

A beautiful, orderly atmosphere of gentle calm and quiet creates a sense of safety, and a sense of safety builds a sense of trust- trust in the teacher, but also a realization that he or she can trust God.  What we are saying about dignity, and how a person is loved by God is much more effective if we are giving the example first of how we treat them.  I am speaking from a 'classroom' perspective, but it should be noted that children begin to build 'models' of security and trust long before they reach any classroom, which is why an intentional example at home is so vital.   

A few years ago, I visited the kindergarten classroom of a master teacher.  I was struck by the natural peace and order I saw in this classroom and in the interactions.  When I asked her, she told me something I've never forgotten- "forming a classroom is like giving birth"- the process can be long and painful, but the result is beautiful and priceless.  The same is true for building trust, and relationships.