Some people refer to themselves as spiritual but not religious. They associate organized religion with rules and prefer to speak with God directly. Their position invites us to look at how our faith is presented sometimes. Is being Catholic merely about following many rules? Follow these rules and go to heaven; break them and go to hell? What are the essentials of our faith?
The desire for a personal relationship with God is good. As Catholics, we are encouraged to pray and speak with God. Our worship, sacraments and life in the Church nourish that relationship and teach us to love one another. Faith brings us into a community who prays together, learns together and supports each other through difficulties.
Love of God and Neighbour
Jesus faced questions about the essentials of faith during his life and ministry. A man approached him asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus pointed him to the commandments and then invited him to let go of his possessions, give to the poor and follow Him (Mark 10:17–22). Jesus’ invitation called for a change of heart and life.
On another occasion, a scholar of the law tested Jesus by asking which commandment was the greatest. Jesus drew on the Shema, Israel’s prayer in Deuteronomy, calling us to love God with our whole being. He joined this to the commandment in Leviticus: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:34-40; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Leviticus 19:18). Love gives our commandments their unity and purpose.
The First Proclamation (Kerygma)
What, then, should we emphasize when handing on our Catholic faith? A helpful word is kerygma. This Greek word means proclamation or announcement. It refers to the foundational proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ, which invites us to believe in Him, turn towards Him and receive the salvation He offers. Its language and expression can vary across cultures and generations. Its central message remains the same.
Pope Francis expressed this beautifully: “Jesus Christ loves you; He gave his life to save you.” He continued by reminding us that Christ is alive and accompanies us each day, bringing light, strength and freedom (Evangelii Gaudium, 164). Jesus’ death and resurrection reveal the Father’s mercy, and the Holy Spirit enables us to receive and respond to this love.
This is called the first proclamation because it is the foundation to which we continually return. Every teaching should help us understand and live it more deeply. Sacred Scripture teaches that “God is love” (1 John 4:8), and the Catechism explains that “God’s very being is love” (CCC 221). The Incarnation, Christ’s sacrifice and our life in the Spirit all express God’s desire to draw us into communion with Him. Salvation begins with God’s grace, His “free and undeserved help” (CCC 1996). God’s love comes first; our prayer, worship and moral choices are our response to what he gives.
Living Our Faith
Sometimes people leave catechism and Confirmation classes only remembering a list of dos and don’ts. When difficulties come, they struggle to recognize God’s love in their lives. We should help them develop a life of prayer and reflect on their relationship with God. This spirituality grows through listening to God and allowing His grace to change our lives. Where have I experienced His love? How do I respond? Spiritual growth involves remaining faithful when prayer feels empty.
The commandments are not rules to imprison us and take away our fun but ways of helping us respond to God’s love. Jesus says: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Love becomes real in our choices and actions. The sacraments nourish and sustain us: in Baptism we become members of Christ; in the Eucharist He nourishes us; in Reconciliation He forgives and restores us.
Witness is essential. When we care for each other, stand with the poor, protect the vulnerable and care for creation, we make our faith visible. Children learn about God’s love through how we treat them and others. Our conduct helps them trust the message we proclaim.
Handing On Our Faith
Parents know well that their children learn more by example than words. The recent Vatican document Venite ad me observes that “the transmission of the faith to the younger generations depends on the evangelization of adults” (101). Parents need opportunities to encounter Christ and grow in faith. Prayer at home, participation in Mass, forgiveness after arguments, and generosity help children experience what faith means. It is not just “something” we do on Sundays or rules we learn. Catechists and all of us share the responsibility of handing on our faith by the example of love.
Here in Guyana, it is good to examine what receives most of our attention. Are our communities helping people to know Christ and live his love?
May parents, catechists and all Catholics keep this first proclamation alive as we hand on our faith. We are loved by God and called to love. May the Holy Spirit help us to believe this, live it and share it.
