From yesterday's first reading: "Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth. So he said to Samuel, 'Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.' When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the LORD came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, 'Samuel, Samuel!' Samuel answered, 'Speak, for your servant is listening.' Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect."
From yesterday's gospel: "Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, 'We have found the Messiah' — which is translated Christ —. Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, 'You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas' — which is translated Peter."
De La Salle (Med. 197.3): "Therefore, [the children] need the light of watchful guides to lead them on the path of salvation, guides who have an adequate understanding of matters concerning piety and a knowledge of the ordinary faults of young people. Thus they will be able to help them be aware of pitfalls and keep away from them. This is what God has provided in giving children teachers whom he has charged with this care and to whom he has given the concern and the vigilance not only to prevent anything whatsoever harmful to their salvation from capturing their hearts. . . ."
All of us have benefited from the guidance of others: parents, teachers, friends, icons, mentors. In ways explicit or subtle, we have learned, or are learning, our way in the world with the help of those who care for us. Yesterday's scriptures give us examples of our parents in faith guiding others to God. De La Salle reminds us that, just as we were once led, we are to guide the students entrusted to our care away from that which is harmful, and on the "path of salvation."
So often we think of our classroom in terms of subject matter content and pedagogical strategies. Yet in our planning, have we considered how our content and strategies can help us guide our wonderful young people to God?
Live, Jesus, in our hearts!