The time I attended a Catechesis...

"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." The word catechesis comes from the Greek meaning "to echo the teaching" meaning that catechesis or the teaching of the faith is an interactive process in which the Word of God re-sounds between and among the proclaimer, the one receiving the message, and the Holy Spirit.

I was invited to a Sunday Catholic Catechesis this week. Having inherent curiosity towards learning various religions of the world and what they preach, I decided to attend. Not knowing what to expect, not knowing how to dress up, I made up my mind to know about just one more faith hoping to get some answers in my journey of life.

I reached before time when there were only a couple of people seated so far. Being intrigued by a new face, a lady came up to me and introduced herself wanting to know more about me. After telling a bit about myself and my interest in learning new faiths, she looked surprised for sure but introduced me to a few more people. I was happy to notice such warm welcome for a new comer and how I was immediately made to feel at home. My friend who invited me arrived and introduced me to a few more people. Learning so many names in such a short span of time was a challenge but I did my best to remember as I found this community to be very lovely, sweet-hearted and blessed.

The Catechesis started with a nice little prayer and then a song about the Lord. After that, the Catechist told us about the need for us to know that God does show himself in the concrete form and blesses us. Then, he invited a young girl to share her story with us in order to prove the same. She told us about how her father had left her mother, brother and herself at such a young age due to an illness. Because of this, she was always in her own shell blaming God for inflicting plain upon herself with the ups and downs of life. Eventually, being active in a community, she did feel the presence of Lord in her life and noticed how he had indeed blessed her with the perfect job, loving mother and brother studying abroad.

The Catechist then apologized the audience in advance for having them put on the spot answering some of his questions. To my pleasant surprise, he asked us the ultimate question of lifetime:

                  "Who are you?"

Having attended talks of various other religious and spiritual forums, I had already contemplated on this question. even though I had an in-depth and thorough answer, when I was asked to answer I settled on a simpler version saying – I am just someone looking to become happy and that’s what everything I do, eventually, contributes towards. It may be because of my probable inadequacy in explaining it, not wanting to confuse the audience members or because it was my first time in this community not really belonging to it and I was caught unprepared to answer. One of those reasons.J The Catechist made us realize how important this question was and to get an answer to it before carrying on with the daily routine so we can truly live in all its essence. Another fine young lady was invited to share her take on this question. With various anecdotes, she made us realize how we are caught up in our daily chores; as if that was the only thing we have been born for.

The ultimate truth of life, the Catechist said, is death. After knowing the ultimate truth, we can live our life to the fullest knowing what our ultimate fate is going to be and hence, worry less.

However, I wonder, is death really life’s ultimate truth?

The question of knowing who I am is all pervading, eternal and I think, we will keep trying to answer it throughout our lifetime. If we were to settle on an answer, will that be the end?

Let us continue to think whilst living, on the side…