Twenty-sixth Ordinary

Luke 16: 29 – 31

Abraham answered, “They have Moses and the Prophets to tell them the score. Let them listen to them.” “I know, Father Abraham,” he said, “but they’re not listening. If someone came back to them from the dead, they would change their ways.” Abraham replied, “If they won’t listen to Moses and the Prophets, they’re not going to be convinced by someone who rises from the dead.”

Jesus isn’t just giving us a theological point – he’s calling us out. Out students already have plenty of “words” – textbooks, lectures, homilies, TikTok’s, and memes. What they need from us is something different: living, breathing witnesses who show what faith looks like in the real world.

So, what does that mean for us as Catholic educators?

It means that the curriculum on our syllabus is only half the story. The other half is us. Our patience when a student pushes our buttons, our joy when we walk into class, our courage to speak truth with kindness, our willingness to say, “I don’t know, but let’s find out together.” These things preach louder than any PowerPoint slide.

It also means we can’t wait for a “miracle” moment to wake our students up to the faith. The miracle is already here – it’s us, our community, our ordinary daily witness. As Catholic educators, we are called to be that sign that points beyond ourselves to the God who loves them.

Here’s the challenge: This week, pick one small but intentional way to embody the Gospel for your students. Maybe it’s starting class with a prayer that connects the lesson to their real life. Maybe it’s reaching out to the quiet kid who’s been slipping under the radar. Maybe it’s apologising when you’ve been short-tempered – showing them humility in action.

The students in your care have “Moses and the Prophets” in the curriculum. But they have you to make it real. Be the living proof that the Good News still matters, still transforms lives, and still invites them to something greater.

Let’s not just teach the Gospel. Let’s be the Gospel.

Call to Action: This week, write down one concrete way you will witness the Gospel in your classroom – then share it with a colleague. Challenge each other, encourage each other, and hold each other accountable. Let’s build a culture where students don’t just hear about Christ – they can see him alive in us.