As we approach Divine Mercy Sunday, we present the second in our series of articles by a Catholic teacher working in Don Bosco's way, reflecting here on the 'Resurrection experiences' each school year offers. Photo: Shutterstock

Like everyone the current situation of lock down gives me more time than usual to think and reflect. When I have a few spare moments I log on to YouTube, as I am addicted to Richard Rohr! I blame Fr Michael Cunningham SDB for this, as he is my spiritual director and he opened my mind to the gentle non-dualistic spirituality of the wise and holy Franciscan priest. In the hours of YouTube devoted to Fr Rohr there is a ten minute homily that I keep going back to in which he explains why the Resurrection was not a one-off miracle but a continuous reflection of the pattern of reality: birth, death and Resurrection.

Many years ago I was abruptly told that I was to gain a new pupil in my form class. As soon as I heard the surname I was horrified: she belonged to a notorious family of whom we had had our fill. And to boot, this particular madam had not lasted long in another local high school. Why was I so lucky, I asked the Head of Year? 'You will be able to knock her in to shape, or at least knock the attitude out of her'!

To my shame, I spent the first three or four weeks doing just that! At every opportunity I let her know who was boss. And I was quite proud of myself that she gave me no trouble what so ever. If I said jump, she basically said 'How high, Sir?' One day, she waited after form class to see me. I was busy and was not really too interested in what she had to say. But I showed a flicker of pastoral concern. And it was then that she hit me with it: 'Sir, it's my birthday today and I am getting a new mobile phone, it's a pink Nokia'. The look of complete trust and willingness to share her excitement with me touched me to the core. 'Happy birthday,' I said. 'Tell me all about your phone'. The excited thirteen year old girl talked at length about her birthday gift. Her joy was tangible, but what was more tangible was her acceptance of me, and her forgiveness.
I had allowed my preconceived ideas about who or what this child may or may not have been cloud my vision. She was and is a child of God, made in the image of the Creator. Yet I had not allowed her divinely inspired humanity to shine. I had not given her the dignity she deserved. Yet her acceptance of me was an experience of the Resurrection. I can truly say that I was re-born. I was glorified and blessed by this child's willingness to forgive.
The rhythm of the school year and the experiences we have often illuminate the Resurrection on a daily basis. This death to my old self led me on a path of spiritual and emotional growth. This young girl, now a young woman, who despite coming from very humble beginnings has completed university and is doing very well, taught me more about the Resurrection than the most educated professor of theology and I am very grateful. The whole experience reminds me of a hymn I used to sing as a child:

There've been times when I've turned from his presence
And I've walked other paths, other ways
But I've called on His name in the dark of my shame
And His mercy was gentle as silence.

The gentle mercy of God was revealed to me through the loving kindness of a child and I thank God for it.

From that day, whenever I have come across a difficult pupil, or indeed, a difficult member of staff, I have sought to let negativity 'die' and try to create life through relationship. Death is not our enemy, but a necessary means of growth. To die to the old-self is to be reborn into a new and more perfect identity, which is in essence the Resurrection.

We are all in a state of becoming, and I witness this every day in school. The pupil who was a pain in Year 7 & 8 is a joy in Year 9 – this is the Resurrection. The needy NQT who blossoms in the second and third year of teaching, a Resurrection. The moaning member of staff who takes on a new role and flourishes is a Resurrection. When we open our hearts and minds to the universal reality that the Resurrection is a daily occurrence, then we can see the divine plan acting in a dynamic and real way.

Our God is a living God who reveals himself to us daily. The face of God for me was a teenage girl. Who is it for you?

Michael Bennett