Saint Who?
Saints Who Were Teachers
Jesus Christ did not merely speak to his disciples and the crowds; he taught them. That is, he imparted knowledge to his listeners, revealing God’s truth and even God himself to them. Our Lord often used different levels of instruction, telling parables to a wider audience but speaking more plainly in private and with his disciples. The Gospels mention that people called him Rabbi, a word which can mean master, scholar, or teacher.
As the apostles began to spread the Good News, they discovered that they too needed to become teachers—even fishermen like Peter and tax collectors like Matthew. Saints often imitate Christ the Teacher by approaching their students with kindness and humility (rather than harshness and pride) and by asking questions as often they answer them. Teaching can be a holy occupation whether the subject is alphabets, angels, or amino acids since all subjects are part of God’s creation.
This month’s saintly teachers include Blessed James Miller, who crossed the globe to instruct poor children, and Blessed Marie Alphonsine Danil Ghattas, who was a schoolteacher in her native land. Saint Paschasius Radbertus became an important theologian, while Saint Margaret of Castello taught the children of the poor while their parents worked in the fields. But all of them became holy through teaching.
