Our Faith Life Also Needs Coaching

 

In the recent Catholic Peace Weekly a University priest professor gives the readers some help in deepening their spiritual life.

 The word 'gold' is something  'precious'. The expression ‘my golden child’, often used by parents, was also used as the title of a drama aired in the early 2000s, and enjoyed great popularity as it dealt with the importance of family and conflict between generations within the family. Recently, an entertainment program called 'My Golden Kids' is attracting interest. As a program in which child-rearing experts coach parents on child-rearing, it is attracting a lot of attention, especially from young parents. 

 

These days, the reason why these topics are getting attention is probably because conflicts between generations in the family and parenting are emerging as social issues. The crisis of marriage and family is appearing as a common problem not only in Korea but  around the world. The reason why the Catholic Church chose: "The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and in the contemporary world." as the theme of the 14th Synod of Bishops also reflects this reality.

 

Modern society and culture change so fast that it is difficult to cope with the flow, but the modern cultural trend that harms or blocks the bond of family and marriage is also a major cause. Under these circumstances, it is only natural that preparation and education for healthy marriages and families emerge as particularly important issues. Adults say: "I grew up on my own when I was a child," but in fact, no one grew up on their own. Whether at home or through various groups or relationships, we are all raised by someone.

 

There are times when he officiates at a wedding Mass, and often says  during the sermon: "It's hard to live alone, but how much harder is it to live together? Priests prepare for 10 years to live alone, but isn’t the time the two of you prepared just not enough time to live together forever?" No matter how much you prepare, you will be learning to live together everyday of your lives, and it is  certain that the future marriage and family life will change a lot depending on how you prepare.

 

However, it seems that there are many people who do not realize that coaching is necessary even in our faith life. The Apostle Paul also approached believers with the heart of a mother nurturing children. "What I fed you with was milk, not solid food,for you were not ready for it; and indeed,you are still not ready for it since you are still unspiritual. (1 Corinthians 3:2)

 

'My faith is like gold.' This title is a parody of the previous drama and parenting program, but how precious the faith we have received is, and at the same time how weak and easy it is for the candle of faith to go out like a candle shaking in the wind. I want to tell you what kind of effort and how much effort to put in.

 

In order to become a Catholic, catechumens must complete a course in  the  doctrine which lasts from 6 months to 10 months. However, can such a short education be enough to fill the life of a believer who will have to live the rest of his life as a person of faith? How much more so since we are asking for eternal life here and now?  

 

As a result, I see many people who do not come to church after being baptized. Most of them say they do not know what to do after the doctrine of preliminary believers is over, and there is no one around them who can teach them how to live as believers in the future.

 

However, the situation of the believer who has the faith from birth is also not easy. Although he inherits his parents' faith and lives as a believer, he often confesses that his faith does not grow and remains in an infant state.

 

Religion is not automatically completed by being baptized, nor does one automatically become an adult by being confirmed. Since faith is engraved in each person's life, it is a process of ripening in a long journey. Now ask yourself what did I do with my faith to deepen it and make it more mature?