“Teach them to observe all things”

When we think about “catechesis,” we probably call to mind our childhood or early adolescent CCD or CCE classes. If pressed, we might find it hard to explain something we learned or “got out of” those classes to our dismay. We recognize that passing on the faith has been a difficult task these days, as so many parents and catechists can testify. What is the way forward? Let us turn to Jesus in reflection and prayer; after all, He is at the center of our teaching.

After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples for forty days, teaching and reminding them of all he had told them. Before he ascended out of sight into heaven, he gave the disciples the “Great Commission,” which is the foundation of catechesis:

“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Mt 28:18–20).

In the Great Commission, our Risen Lord gives us four essential characteristics for evangelization and catechesis. Firstly, before giving us the green light (“Go!”), He states that He has been given all power in heaven and on earth. Christ has empowered the Church to continue His mission in the world. 

This is a good reminder that it is in His power that we go to catechize. It does not depend principally on us but on Him. If we can preach and teach with any power at all, it is because He is the source. Even St. Paul realized, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth…. For we are God’s co-workers” (1Cor 3:6-7, 9). Let us rely more and more on the power of Christ in our efforts to evangelize and catechize.  

Secondly, we have gotten the command to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them” in the name of the Trinity. By way of observation, perhaps we have done a decent job of ensuring people are baptized, but how well have we done in making disciples? To “go make disciples” requires that we have become disciples ourselves, that the teachings we have received have made our own life a more transparent witness of the work of God’s grace in us. Interestingly, the word ‘catechesis’ is translated as “to echo the teaching.” In fact, “catechesis is nothing other than the process of transmitting the Gospel, as the Christian community has received it, understands it, celebrates it, lives it and communicates it in many ways” (General Directory for Catechesis #105). Our life “echoes back” all that Jesus has said and taught.

Thirdly, Jesus directs us to teach “them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Over and above, making sure that each person knows their prayers and is familiar with the teachings of the Church means that a personal encounter with Jesus Christ must happen. The essential kerygma – which is centered on an encounter with the person of Jesus – is to be sought: “You are witnesses of these things” (Lk 24:48). Teaching to observe all Jesus has commanded is not just informative but performative.

The fourth characteristic is that Jesus promised to accompany us in this mission to make disciples and baptize. More than just giving us some helpful suggestions and tips and guiding us along the way, he promised to be with us always, in all circumstances. This should give us confidence, especially when we feel discouraged and unproductive. In fact, Christ has called and invited us to continue his mission in the world today. If he has called us, we can be sure he will bring whatever he wills to its fulfillment and completion according to God’s will.  

Catechesis, then, really is a dynamic participation in the mission of the Church which Christ has commissioned. As the late Pope Benedict XVI pointed out, “The Church doesn’t have a mission, the Church is a mission,” because it has been commissioned to proclaim what the Apostle John so eloquently summed up: “What we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ” (1Jn 1:3). In the power of the Holy Spirit let us go to evangelize and catechize the world.