“The Eucharist is about hospitality, all are welcome.” (Lavin, p. 125)
Build the kingdom and they will come!
It is the basis of our faith that God loves everyone. God’s love has built a community on faith, understanding and forgiveness for one another. The community comes together to share this important message by accepting the Eucharist; thus, accepting the body of Christ.
With respect to my professionalism as a teacher in a Catholic school, this quotation has a great impact on my low social-economical diverse school. We have many refugee students, socially strife students, and emotionally lost students (trouble fitting in, parents are divorcing, etc.). My classroom is a place where students feel free to enter and stay without questions. At lunch my room has at least 15 students or more congregating to eat, relax or even do homework (other students may help or I will help). Every student in my room has a sense of belonging and they themselves accept others (ripple effect). There is total unity and respect. ... My classroom is like God’s love of welcoming everyone into his kingdom, I welcome everyone into my classroom where many times I am called “mom”.
Personal note:
I had major surgery this semester and I was off work for 8 weeks. When I returned back the students were “twitting” my return. That same day I had a full classroom at lunch as if I never left. The students were so glad that they had their “kingdom” back.
Many days I barely have time to eat my lunch because I play parent and teacher trying to help students with their homework. I am amazed when I see the grade 11/12 students “paying it forward” and helping the younger grade students with their math. Now this is a precious moment ....
Last week, I put Candy Crush on the Smart Board and I sat back and watched grade 9 students teaching and ESL student how to play, taking turns and analyzing strategies together ... If we build a kingdom of peace and love - they will come.
With respect to my professionalism as a teacher in a Catholic school, this quotation has a great impact on my low social-economical diverse school. We have many refugee students, socially strife students, and emotionally lost students (trouble fitting in, parents are divorcing, etc.). My classroom is a place where students feel free to enter and stay without questions. At lunch my room has at least 15 students or more congregating to eat, relax or even do homework (other students may help or I will help). Every student in my room has a sense of belonging and they themselves accept others (ripple effect). There is total unity and respect. ... My classroom is like God’s love of welcoming everyone into his kingdom, I welcome everyone into my classroom where many times I am called “mom”.
Personal note:
I had major surgery this semester and I was off work for 8 weeks. When I returned back the students were “twitting” my return. That same day I had a full classroom at lunch as if I never left. The students were so glad that they had their “kingdom” back.
Many days I barely have time to eat my lunch because I play parent and teacher trying to help students with their homework. I am amazed when I see the grade 11/12 students “paying it forward” and helping the younger grade students with their math. Now this is a precious moment ....
Last week, I put Candy Crush on the Smart Board and I sat back and watched grade 9 students teaching and ESL student how to play, taking turns and analyzing strategies together ... If we build a kingdom of peace and love - they will come.