Christian Formation: From Womb to Tomb
By Fessahaye Mebrahtu, Director of Adult & Family Ministry 

The Church considers itself a pilgrim on this earth pressing on for its final destination, heaven where God is fully present to us. In the Book of Revelation we read, “Now God’s home is with people! He will live with them, and they shall be his people. God himself will be with them, and he will be their God” (21: 3). We are still on steady journey marching toward our final destination.

As Christians we are all familiar with the concept pilgrimage and journey in the context of faith. To express the state of our spiritual life, we use the phrase “a journey of faith” indicating that we are in state of movement from point A to Z. We all have been on a journey short or otherwise. Of course we make sure that we have enough provisions to reach our destination whether it’s full tank of gas, cash, clothing, food, etc. For example, from Milwaukee, if our destination is Minneapolis we do not say that we have reached our destination by reaching Madison, though we may be a little be closer to our destination from our starting point.

In the analogy of journey or pilgrimage of faith, it is important that we reflect whether we are properly equipped for it or not. As Catholics we have are accustomed on relaying with minimum requirements, i.e., on our childhood catechism and repetitive rituals. We need toreplenish our provisions by up-grading the understanding of our faith, diagnosing our relationships with each other and being Good Samaritans if we run into someone who needs a jumpstart, thanking God and celebrating at every rest area.

Let me explain myself in plain words; there is no time in this journey when we can say, “I am too young, I have outgrown it or I am too old” to be continuously formed, and reformed so that I may have a better understanding of my Christian faith and its obligations. I would rest my case by stating we need to be formed “from womb to tomb” for our journey “it ain’t over until it’s over” when we see “God as God is.”

Finally, I would like to all of us encourage our newly formed Christian Formation Committee who will be helping our parish community on its journey of faith. With our prayer and support they will help us clear vision of our mission and map our journey as we press on for our final destination.