The Apostolate and testimony in the teaching of John Paul II

Abstract

Catechesisis an education in faith, and is carried out through teaching and testimony.Faith is not passed on with the help of theory, but through life full of faith. The catechist accompanies the pupilon the way to a personal meeting with God; he is a witness and an apostle of faith.Christ is the "Archetype" of the witness of salvation and the first apostle; Christ reveals God's love for people. Jesus is a faithful witness, in the full sense of the word. He came in to the world to testify to the truth.He testifies about what he saw and heard from the Father. The task of the Church is to communicate the teachings of Jesust o next generations. The testimony of faithis realized mainly through catechesis, but it should permeate the daily lifeof the believer. Catechist’s testimony and the whole prophetic activity of the Church are parts of Jesus Christ’s testimony.Great testimonies of faith were given and are still given by saints, among whom is st. John Paul II, who showed us how to get to know, love and confess Jesus Christ every day.The foundation of such conduct should bea "new" and "eternal" life which consists in communion with the Father, to which every person is freely called in the Son by the power of the Sanctifying Spirit. It is precisely in this "life" that all the aspects and stages of human life achieve their full significance.Thus, serving God and being a witness to him requiresus to deepen our spirituality and stay in a constant union with Christ through the Eucharist and daily prayer.