Feeling a little flat?
Except for having a flat tummy, it is usually not a positive thing to say that something is flat. Food, music, a carbonated drink, an acting performance, an athletic performance: if any of these are referred to as flat, that’s not a good thing! Sometimes, as catechists, we can find ourselves feeling “flat.”
The General Directory for Catechesis tells us that, to avoid being flat, we catechists need formation that is three-dimensional; it needs to focus on being, knowing, and doing. Vacation is the perfect time to focus on the being part of our three-dimensional formation, a perfect time to renew your vocation as a catechist by tapping into your soul. How does vacation time help us to do this?
Vacation allows you to:
- get off the merry-go-round for a time to catch your breath.
- feel a sense of closure in a ministry that is never-ending.
- find the time to reflect on ways that you have made a difference.
- find time to heal emotionally from any hurt you have experienced in ministry.
- interact with a different group of people for a change of pace.
- enjoy a much-needed dose of beauty, which lifts our minds and hearts to God.
- enjoy an opportunity to be cared for by others.
- reflect on your own gifts.
- get your life back in balance.
- pay attention to your physical health.
- get much-needed rest and restore your energy level.
- do some reflective journaling.
- find time to pray and to reflect on Scripture.
- read inspirational literature. (Check out what Loyola Press has to offer!)
All of the above enable you to renew your vocation as a catechist and as a disciple of Christ. Think of your vacation as one of the ways that you will honor the notion of Sabbath rest. In other words, vacation is to the year what Sunday is to the week. God wants you to rest. May your vacation be a time of rest and renewal so that you can return to God’s vineyard with renewed energy and enthusiasm!
What are some of the ways you plan to renew your vocation this summer?
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