Middle School Chapel Interview With Head of School, David Padilla

Each week, CCES students have the opportunity to worship in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd for services in their divisions. Last week in Middle School Chapel, students were joined by a special guest, Head of School David Padilla. Mr. Padilla was interviewed by two eighth graders – Bates Mann and Ally Schulz – with questions pertaining to his faith.

 

 

A: Growing up, I was involved in church in a variety of ways. I went to youth group and served as an acolyte, but until 5^th or 6^th grade, going to church was just something I did. In 6^th and 7^th grade, I went through confirmation class which changed my perspective into something deeper.

 

 

A: Through my confirmation class, I gained a more precise vocabulary to talk about my faith. These new terms and phrases helped me begin to recognize how my faith tradition shaped my understanding of the world. It specifically impacted the books I read. I also came to understand how to better navigate the simultaneous qualities of simplicity and complexity that a system of faith requires.

 

 

A: The person I consider my first mentor in the faith is my mother. Other individuals who impacted me were Pastor Brandt who guided my early years and Professor Brown Patterson who informed my knowledge of the Reformation. All of these people gave me language to better understand my faith.

 

 

A: A passage that comes to mind is John 11, the raising of Lazarus. In this gospel story, Jesus’s friend Lazarus is sick and ends up dying. When Jesus goes to visit, Lazarus’s sisters – Mary and Martha – lament that if He had been there, their brother would not have died. Jesus tells them that Lazarus will rise, saying: “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus went to the grave, had the tomb opened, and called Lazarus to come forth. This miracle was Jesus’s last before He started h=His journey to the cross, and is considered the last of the “seven signs” recounted in the book of John. This final sign involves a resurrection that sets the stage for The Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

 

 

A: There are a couple of short and to-the-point verses that encourage me. The first is John 11:35: “Jesus wept” which very simply reflects the humanity of Christ. The second is 1 Thessalonians 5:16 – “Rejoice always.” – which serves as a reminder to be grateful. Lastly, the verse that opens the book of John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This ties everything in the gospels back to Genesis and reminds us that God is eternal.

 

 

A: Education is not just about gaining more knowledge or skills, it is also about helping young people prepare for their futures beyond school. While academics play a large role, athletics, arts, service, and spiritual health are equally important in developing students. It is important for everyone, regardless of religion or denomination, to wrestle with what you believe and don’t believe and why you do or don’t believe it.