This Sunday’s Gospel (3^rd Ordinary Time) offers a reminder of the importance of prayer and its prominence in our sessions: individual or group. It illustrates how the disciples just don’t get it. They are no different from us. They want to get on with the important stuff, the healing, the miracles, the freeing from devils. Everyone wants a piece of Jesus, and what does Jesus do, but go off somewhere quiet to pray.

There is a lot to draw out of those few words of Jesus going off to a lonely place to pray: how prayer is our first thought in the early morning; that you don’t need a prayerbook or to go into a church; that you do it after you have done something momentous, as well as praying for guidance before you continue your journey.

As for the distractions, well they come in all shapes and forms: even in the guise of your companions, who have pledged themselves in service to follow Christ. How often are we cut short in our prayers by the very people we are praying for.

There are prayerbooks for catechumens, but the prayers that stay with us, are often the ones we learn from others. I can recall the joy of recognition when hearing enquirers or catechumens recalling how a parent, a relative or someone close to them said a prayer with them when they were younger. Connecting with the catechumen’s past is a vital link to their seeing a route to where they’ve now got to. They learn that all of life’s experience is important. It makes them who they are.

• If you have people from different countries why not invite them to each share a prayer from their culture.
• Encourage those in your group to make up a short Trinitarian prayer.
• Explore the scriptures for prayers.
• Start and end every encounter within RCIA with a prayer.

All of the above scenes may be very familiar to our candidates and catechumens, but a trip to the crib: perhaps to host a session, singly or in a group, offers an imaginative form of catechesis as an opportunity to open up the Word of God, and could finish with a shortened celebration of the word [RCIA 81-82 ] 

It offers a suitable time to allow the catechumen to share their journey, what messages and insights they have experienced, how straight  has their path been, and what form guidance  in prayer and community support may perhaps take in future weeks and months.

For the team: catechists and sponsors, it is useful to re-assess how the journey is progressing with an eye to  how far the prerequisites for  taking the first step of acceptance into the order of catechumens has been accomplished. Perhaps explore RCIA 42 as part of a team meeting, for there is always the need to constantly evaluate and assess the 'candidate's motives and dispositions' [RCIA 43], just as there is the need to discern  the state of readiness of the catechumen for the Rite of Election.

Above all, have fun, for this is the season of joy and happiness, and a great time to involve the whole parish community, in  supporting the candidates and catechumens.

"Let us pray - as the family of God who share in his life.

Father in heaven, creator of all, you ordered the earth to bring forth life and crowned its goodness by creating the family of man.   In history's moment when all was ready, you sent your Son to dwell in time, obedient to the laws of life in our world.  Teach us the sanctity of human love, shows us the value of family life, and help us to live in peace with all people, that we may share in your life forever.  (ICEL 1998)

I was privileged to attend  two ordinations earlier this year,  and I recall thinking how well we catholics  do a good liturgy.

It is the liturgy that is often the introduction to the catholic faith for non-christians. Do we use the opportunity to its best advantage? How innovative are our liturgies?

I remember one lady in our RCIA team and the skill she had with fabric and simple props, turning a grey walled meeting room into a liturgical wonder where our faith came alive. An RCIA session always had that element of joy and discovery as we uncovered a new layer in our worship. I experienced that on Saturday with the blessing of our Altar Missals and their being sent forth with representatives from each local church in our parish cluster.

The symbols were simple: the Altar Missals impressive in their design, laid out on a low table, against the backdrop of the Altar with its bright candles. The quiet solemnity of the blessing was awesome. How different from the blessing of the Advent wreath and the lighting of the first Advent candle on Sunday. One could sense the air of expectation in the Assembly. It is that time of year again, when we are ready to ‘stay awake’. A lot is going to happen over the next four weeks of Advent.

There is the chance for further blessings and celebrations. In the extended period of the catechumenate why not have a special celebration of the Word of God.

• To give them instruction and experience in the different aspects and ways of prayer;
• To explain to them the signs, celebrations, and seasons of the liturgy;
• To prepare them gradually to enter the worship assembly of the entire community: RCIA 82

The structure of a celebration is suggested in RCIA 86-89, with an opening song, one or more readings, a brief homily  and  finish with a blessing. This would work well on Gaudete Sunday  or during the third week of Advent.

Or how about Advent Stations of the Cross with a Blessing of Oil and anointing [see RCIA 101B – 102].

There is also the opportunity for blessing of the Christmas tree  or the manger, or even someone’s home.

Perhaps this week as the English speaking churches turn to the New Translation of the Roman Missal,  catechumens could have the chance to see and touch the Altar Missal and gain a sense of just how well we catholics do liturgy, as they develop a love of the liturgy and its symbols.

God is deciding to take over from the shepherds of Israel. Stepping in because of their negligence and greed, he is taking over his own flock. He is going to be vigilant, keeping a careful watch. No wonder we celebrate the Easter Vigil, the mother of all vigils, as a blueprint of this heartfelt involvement. To have all sheep in view requires lots of alertness and conscious movement, but most of all, one’s compassionate interest. Here we can stop and ask ourselves: how much am I really interested in the people in my RCIA group beyond the meetings? And how well do I keep all of them in view?

The beautiful image of a shepherd standing in the middle of his flock so as to see all is next. There is a certain weight and gravity about it. This is perhaps something we constantly need to learn to do, as well as to recognise and point out. In other words, we need to be flexible and constantly move with the moving flock so as to keep this “middle ground” of neutrality, good perspective and clear vision. Yet we also need to learn to recognise and bring to people’s consciousness the Good Shepherd who is always standing attentively in our midst, wherever we are on our journey. Whether we know it or not, Christ is always this reference point from our birth to death – and beyond. So the next question can be: where do I stand, and where is the place of Christ in the RCIA process that I lead?

And then comes the rescuing. Of course, God does all of it – but often by using our own lives, gifts and resources. Interestingly, the sheep are scattered only when the conditions spell out poor vision: in the mist and darkness. Baptism is the sacrament of illumination par exellence. Yet even on the way to it, the light of Christ often comes through the fellow pilgrims and dispels the power of darkness. Just like our candles do at Easter Vigil when they are lit - first from the Paschal candle, but also from one another. So how do I encourage, respect and foster everyone’s “glow”?

The provision of rest comes next. Pointing out where to rest is God’s prerogative – it is the Lord who speaks – but we can assist those sacred moments of rejuvenation by taking prayer and liturgy seriously. So seriously that it becomes an occasion of authentic peace, childlike wonder or intimate delight. How can we make prayer become a real stepping stone to a life lived to the full?

And then comes the searching, bringing back, bandaging, strengthening, watching over… Notice that each activity matches the need perfectly: the shepherd does not bandage healthy animals! So what are the needs of each individual in my flock? And do I respond to them appropriately? And finally, do I really watch over the “fat and healthy” stock as well? Or do I assume that there is no risk of injury on the way just because they always seem fine?

Let’s learn all those shepherding skills from the Good Shepherd whose loving gaze has been resting on us, and on the people in our care, all our lives.

The Gospel given to us this week presents a contrast between those Bridesmaids that were ready and those that were unprepared, those who were wise and those who were foolish. In this parable Jesus is saying that wisdom is very much tied up with ‘being ready’. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom suggests the same sense of readiness when it counsels ‘watch for [wisdom] early and you will have no trouble, you will find her sitting at your gates.’

The RCIA as we know is a journey of faith that ‘includes not only the periods for making inquiry and for maturing, but also the steps marking the catechumens’ progress, as they pass, so to speak, through another doorway…’ (RCIA 6). As we accompany those who are preparing to cross the threshold of faith and belonging to the community of the Catholic Church it is a great consolation to know that as we do we will find wisdom already there, sitting at our gates, present at the place of encounter and change. Wisdom is already in operation in those who are seeking God. For us too as catechists it is only with wisdom, with that sense of readiness, that we can fruitfully accompany them as they seek to enter the family of faith. As the Gospel puts it: ‘those who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall…’

So what resources do we have that can help us to be ready and wise?

We are offered the wisdom of the Rite itself in which is contained and distilled the wisdom of the community which has been initiating members for centuries. As well as the Rite itself we have resources that draw on that wisdom such as those found on the RCIA Network website www.rcia.org.uk , newsletter and the events such as the study days and conferences where  collective wisdom and experience can be fruitfully shared. If you haven’t yet come along to an RCIA conference why not make the next in summer 2012 your first? (RCIA Network Conference,3^rd-6^th July 2012 at High Leigh, Hoddesdon, Herts. Please see website for more details)

Finally this Gospel passage is a reminder that through our own life of prayer we can get in touch with the gift of wisdom given to us by the Holy Spirit. This special gift, to the extent that we are open to it, enables us to be ready for each and every situation that we may find ourselves drawn into. Perhaps in our own prayer we can reflect on how ready and wise we are or to what extent we need to grow in wisdom and readiness. Perhaps we can take this opportunity to seek the Lord’s gift of wisdom anew for our lives since, as todays first reading tells us ‘she is found by those who look for her.’

The presence of the children has also given the assembly some thought. We take pride in the place these children will take in our community. We acknowledge that somehow their presence has enriched our own experience of participating in the mass. We each learn from each other.

Candidates and catechumens also enrich the community in which they grow and settle. They too can benefit from our example,  of being invited along to  see the church in which we worship. A meditative walk through the church with someone (sponsor) to answer questions, offers a good introduction. Follow up with attending mass with their sponsor or RCIA catechists or their own family. As soon as they are catechumens, let the rest of the church know that these are your catechumens, so the whole community can be ready to help and support them.

• All Saints day offers a great opportunity  for prayer, 
• stories and catechesis about the catholic church,
• the Church Fathers, our tradition and our  Saints.

This week offers an easy introduction into lectionary based catechesis. On Friday we have the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary.  October traditionally is a month when we dedicate our prayers to the Blessed Virgin and whether we have an initial enquirer or are in the midst of the catechumenate period, this month offers  an opportune way to  introduce and consider a variety of facets of the catholic faith.

The ‘Hail Mary’  offers a wonderful example of a prayer of faith. It speaks of Our Lady’s faith, of her cousin Elizabeth’s faith: of enlightenment, and of our faith.

• During the 1^st period of evangelisation and precatechumenate, the community ‘welcomes them into their homes, into personal conversation, and into the community gatherings’ Rite of Christian Initiation of  Adults ‘RCIA’ 9.1.

If inviting an enquirer into your home, why not let them see  how a statue of Our Lady or  picture or icon is central to the home.  Show them  the rosary beads, tell them about the Marian shrines. Share with them the stories of Lourdes, Fatima and Walsingham.

As the catechumen become  ‘familiar with the Christian way of life and are helped by the example and support of sponsors, godparents, and the entire Christian community, the catechumens learn to turn more readily to God in prayer ...’ RCIA 75.2

• If you have a multi-cultural community ask parishioners to share stories of Marian devotion in their country.  It makes for a fascinating and lively discussion if you have someone who has a video of  fiestas and processions. We do good ones  here as well!
• Explore  icons, statues, books  for different aspects of the life of Our Lady.
• Explore the different types of prayer, of meditation, contemplation.
• Have another look at the prayers of Mass when we ask Our Lady to pray for us like the ‘I confess’.
• Use the episode when Mary is confronted by the angel Gabriel,  to  discuss  the challenges  faced on a journey of faith.

Share the experience of praying the rosary together, and let the community benefit  ‘by joining the catechumens in reflecting on the value of the paschal mystery’. RCIA 4

So what are you doing in your parish this month?

God with us in every day relationships

How was it for you? Easter? Pentecost? Trinity Sunday?

Walking alongside our elect, we have trod the lenten path in preparation for sacraments of initiation at Easter. We have rejoiced with them in the Easter Vigil, and have lived and shared our faith with our new Catholic members throughout the 50-days of the Resurrection of the Lord. We havecontinued with joy through Pentecost, and yesterday, with the feast of the Most Holy Trinity we again gathered together as a parish community, Body of Christ, to know, celebrate and experience how much God loves us. I was very struck by the Opening Prayer yesterday - in the current 1973 Missal translation: '

Father, you sent your Word to bring us truth and your Spirit to make us holy. Through them we come to know the mystery of your life. Help us to worship you, one God in three Persons, by proclaiming and living our faith in you.

The 1998 Icel text, also in our current missals as an alternative opening prayer reads:

God, we praise you. Father all-powerful, Christ Lord and Saviour, Spirit of love. You reveal yourself in the depths of our being, drawing us to share in your life and your love. One God, three Persons, be near to the people formed in your image, close to the world your love brings to life.

In the first Reading God proclaims Godself to be 'a God of tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in kindness and faithfulness.' In the second reading we are exorted to 'try to grow perfect, help one another, be united, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.' In the Gospel 'God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.'

If we are praying these texts, opening our hearts and lives, they will have an impact - they will renew us and shape us, and be the lens through which we see the world and respond to people and events in the ordinary every-day of life. Every moment, bidden or unbidden, God is with us, revealing Godself in the depths of our being, drawing us to share in the Divine Life and Love. Wow! It's all a mind-blowing mystery. We are made new! We dont have to react in the same old way when the wrong buttons are pushed. We can see things differently, we can take the long view. Summer is a great time to allow this renewal to get into our bones - like vitamin D from sunshine, we need it. In quietly reflecting on our experience of the liturgy - what did I hear? What did I see? What did I sense? What did I touch? - we will find ourselves living it! Yes, the Lord is with you! The words and actions of the liturgy reflecting our relationship and sharing in the life of God, are echoed in the actions and words of daily events, daily encounters with others. As St Benedict use to say when he encoutered an old friend 'It is Easter indeed!'

Action?

Tune in and be consciously aware more often during the day - to the Word and the Spirit at work in YOU, achieving so much more than you can ask or imagine!

Look out and see just how close God is to the world his love brings to life.

In your journeys to and fro, God direct you. In your happiness and pleasure, God bless you. In care, anxiety, or trouble, God sustain you. In peril and in danger, God protect you. (Archbishop Timothy Olufsen, 1918-1992, Nigeria)

I would like to suggest that sharing this period of Purification and Enlightenment with the whole parish could be a spiritual experience that the whole community share. Of course this is not a new idea for :

In the liturgy and liturgical catechesis of Lent the reminder of baptism already received or the preparation for its reception, as well as the theme of repentance, renew the entire community along with those being prepared to celebrate the paschal mystery..... For both the elect and the local community, therefore the Lenten season is a time for spiritual recollection in preparation for the celebration of the paschal mystery. RCIA 125.

The period consists ‘ more in interior reflection than in catechetical instruction, and is intended to purify the minds and hearts of the elect as they search their own consciences and do penance’ RCIA 126

Perhaps some questions to ask include:

• Is the whole community aware of the names of the candidates, and are they supporting their journey?
• What opportunities are being offered to allow the elect to experience a deeper knowledge of Christ?
• Is this an opportunity for some catechesis of the parish about the RCIA process?
• Is this an evangelising opportunity for those who may be wavering on the threshold?

Prayer is a vital part of any spiritual preparation. There will be many forms of prayer: praying the rosary, the stations of the cross, reflecting in depth on the Opening Prayer. This could be a time to share the many different forms of prayer not only among the candidates, but throughout the community.

• TIP Invite people to bring a prayer that is special to them and  pin them on a board at the back of the church                                               or somewhere that is visible to the whole community. Watch it grow in size and variety.

A handy resource is Alison Berger’s A Prayerbook for Catechumens Twenty-third Publications