2ND WEEK OF LENT

You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. 

Observe a gifted teacher in his classroom, and what will you see? Someone who carefully prepares the material he wants his students to master yet who is also ready to achieve those learning objectives differently with each unique class. Such a teacher actively engages his students in doing their own learning by asking questions or providing practical examples to help them retain the lesson better. He might even choose students as “classroom helpers” to assist their fellow students and further their own learning.

Spiritually, we all need to keep learning. Thank God we have a skilled teacher in Jesus! And thank God that he teaches with the “objective” of bringing us to eternal life with him.

The Gospels show us that Jesus was an endlessly creative teacher. He told stories, responded to questions, and related with each individual personally. In the verses just before today’s passage, we find him answering an honest question (“Which commandment . . . is the greatest?” Matthew 22:36) and asking a thought-provoking one (“Whose son is he?” 22:42). And in chapter 17, he teaches Peter about the privileges of being a child of God by sending him to catch a fish to pay the Temple tax (17:27).

So how does Jesus teach us today? Through the Holy Spirit, he uses a number of methods. Clearly, he speaks to us through the Scriptures. But he also uses “helpers” in the classroom of our lives. He might teach us through the witness of another Christian, in our relationships with family and friends, or through the events we experience every day. As we stay attuned to the Holy Spirit, we will be able to learn something from the people we encounter and discover new lessons in every circumstance of our lives.

Jesus, the master teacher, is speaking to you today. Through the Holy Spirit, he is finding creative ways to help you absorb his lessons and stay alert and receptive to his teaching. So try to remain open to him. He always has something new for you to learn!

“Holy Spirit, help me to learn from Jesus every day.”

Isaiah 1:10, 16-20
Psalm 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23
Matthew 23:1-12