The Vocation of a Teacher

It is amazing how in every age, God finds, calls people to step up and meet the need of the current day. Even more amazing are the people God chooses to take up this task. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle, whose memorial we observe today, is such a man. Born of a noble family and assigned as a Canon of the Reims Cathedral, assuring him of a plush existence for the rest of his life, he was gradually moved to abandon all his wealth and his position to enter the field of Catholic education, particularly among the poor. He spent his life in work for which he felt no natural attraction, and as founder of the Institute of the Brothers of Christian Schools, also known as the Christian Brothers or the La Salle Brothers, had a profound impact on modern pedagogy and Catholic education. He served as an inspiration and model for St. Marcellin, who modified some of the La Sallian teaching practices and focused on rural rather than urban settings for his schools. Both men were unlikely candidates initially for their missions. There are times when today's teachers have that same feeling: preaching to the indifferent, perhaps even hostile masses born of today's culture. The "I-don't-need-this" thought comes to mind often; it is a real temptation, plausible and understandable. It occured to St. Jean-Baptiste and his followers, and all teachers at one time or another in the course of the centuries. He reminds us of our vocation with directness and clarity when he writes: "You should not be concerned about anything for this present life except to make God reign in our heart by his grace and by the fullness of his love. you should be living for him; the life of God ought to be the life of your soul." He goes on to stress living in the presence of God, seeking his will, loving him and causing him to be loved by others. "Often recall to mind the purpose of your vocation, and let this inspire you to do your part to establish and to maintain the kindgom of God in the hearts of your students." Parents as well might take to heart these principles, for they are the first teachers of their children. Let us pray for teachers and parents, asking God, through the intercession of St. Jean-Baptiste and St. Marcellin for the grace to be faithful to our vocations as teachers.