The innocence of children
April 13, 2008, 21:31
Catechism Class today was rather rowdy today as the boys were needling each other again. However, I still managed to engage the kids and elicited quite a few good questions and answers, although it was not as good as previous sessions. I will have to think of ways to engage them.
One knows that the demographics of the neighbourhood that I teach in are not exactly stellar. Kids there grow up in dysfunctional families, tight family incomes, dialect speaking families and have to grapple with a lot of other emotional pressures. Today's lesson was on prayer and worship and we asked the kids to write a prayer, any prayer which they wanted with their heart. For kids who were monkeying around in class, they took the activity very seriously. One kid prayed to God for her mother who was greviously ill. Another, after asking me about whether it was ok to write about finances, wrote for more money for his family and that they would be spared the "tax collector and creditors". The sense of innocence and expectation, yet the pain in the words of their prayers were especially moving.There was not much that I could do. What I did was to paste the prayers at prominent spots in the Church asking people to pray for these kids. I can only hope that no one brings down the prayers, otherwise I will be very angry.
It troubled me to know that these kids who were so boisterous and happy in class would lead such painful lives. I feel so inadequate as compared to them. P said I should not feel sorry for them. That such an experience would toughen them up. That I should have fun with them still and not see them as having bagagge. I guess that is true since church is probably the only place where they can find joy and peace from all the troubles at home and I have to be the one to ensure that. As M said, Jesus wants our hearts to break for such people, so the mission ahead would be very important.
For next week's class, I hope to remind the kids that prayer is also an acknowledgement that we are dependent on God. So, I am planning to play the hymn "Abide with me".
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word,
But as Thou dwell'st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings;
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea.
Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me.
Thou on my head in early youth didst smile,
And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee.
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
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