The Joy of Teaching: To Give Life Through the Commandments By Br Kenneth Tham

Whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
(Mt 5:19)

Lent is upon us once again, with Ash Wednesday on March 5th marking the beginning of the forty-day season of penance, fasting, and almsgiving—a sacred time for reflection and renewal as we seek to restore our relationship with God. This month also brings the March term break, a welcome pause for some and a busy period for others. While many will intensify their preparations for the Singapore Youth Festival competition, school performances, or the National School Games, others may use this time to step back, take stock of the first term, and prepare for what lies ahead.

In my own training as an educator during my time in NIE, the importance of reflection was always emphasised. A good teacher, it was said, is a reflective practitioner. As Catholic educators, this call to reflection extends further: we are invited to examine not only our teaching practices but also how we live out our faith and reflect Christ to our students. Have we brought life to our students by living out the commandments and teaching them to do the same? Jesus himself assures us, “the one who keeps them (the commandments) and teaches them will be considered great in the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:19b). If we aspire to be great educators in the eyes of the Lord, this question is one we must frequently ask ourselves.

Living the commandments, however, is not merely about obeying the law. Christ calls us to something far deeper: to nurture right relationships with God and with others. As Jesus teaches, “if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:20). The scribes and Pharisees adhered strictly to the letter of the law, but they failed to embrace its spirit, which is love. Love is at the heart of the law and the life of Christ, and it requires tangible expression. Love is an action, a choice, and a will to serve others.

As the letter of James reminds us, “You say you have faith and I have good deeds; I will prove to you that I have faith by showing you my good deeds—now you prove to me that you have faith without any good deeds to show” (Jas 2:19). Each day presents us with an opportunity to demonstrate our faith through our actions. As educators, we are called to go beyond imparting academic knowledge; we are called to embody and teach love.

This love is revealed not just in grand gestures but in the small, daily interactions that make up our lives: a kind tone, a warm smile, a nod of encouragement. Our students are keen observers, quick to pick up on the subtleties of our words and actions. A simple word of affirmation or a gesture of approval can profoundly impact their sense of self-worth, helping them feel valued and loved. The values we model in the classroom—both explicitly and implicitly—shape their understanding of what it means to love and be loved.

As we accompany our students, particularly during competitive seasons, we often face the challenge of balancing a drive for excellence with the cultivation of compassion. How can we nurture in them both a competitive spirit and a compassionate heart? This tension is not easy to navigate, but it offers a profound opportunity to teach our students what it truly means to love: to strive for greatness, not at the expense of others, but in a way that lifts others up.

Every day is a new chance to model and teach love—a love that reflects the boundless and transformative love of Christ. May we as educators be models of love to our students so that they too may one day model the love of Christ to others.