Tuesday, October 21, 2014

A Promise Of Hope

     “Only by praying together with their children can a father and mother -- exercising their royal priesthood*—penetrate the innermost depths of their children’s hearts and leave an impression that the future events in their lives will not be able to efface.”                                                        St. John Paul ll



     What comforting words St. John Paul ll offers to those of us who are parents! His words hold a promise, that if we have been faithful to “exercising our royal priesthood,” by praying with our children, something will take root. A promise, that despite the pull of “the world”, with all its alluring enticements, our efforts will not be eradicated.


     What an honor and great privilege it is for parents to introduce their children to God and teach them all about Him. Children are like little sponges and soak in the idea of being loved and cherished by God. They relish time spent speaking with Him and are so generous in offering their love.

     In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1657 states:

It is here (in the bosom of the family) that the father of the family, the mother, children and all members of the family exercise the priesthood of the baptized in a privileged way “by the reception of the sacraments, prayer and thanksgiving, the witness of a holy life, and self-denial and active charity” Thus the home is the first school of Christian life and “a school for human enrichment.” Here one learns endurance and the joy of work, fraternal love, generous – even repeated – forgiveness, and above all divine worship in prayers and offering of one’s life.

     We parents, hold a grave responsibility before Almighty God, not only to pass on the faith to our children through knowledge, but by teaching them to speak to God, in an intimate and personal way, by praying with them. Our Holy Father tells us that this will “penetrate the innermost depths of their children’s hearts and leave an impression that the future events in their lives will not be able to efface.” This is a hope that we need to cling to and believe and exercise, when in our day and time, the faith of our children is challenged and attacked relentlessly.

     There are times, as parents, when we will question the fruits of our efforts, in passing the gift of faith to our children . . . Times when we will be tempted to believe that the seeds of faith may have died.

     At these times, we must instead continue to pray, sacrifice, love, and believe, that God will take our efforts and stir up the gift of faith once again in their souls. We must believe that those many prayers, prayed with them and for them, will have its effect on their hearts and come to fruition in God’s good time.

     Let us ask St. John Paul ll to intercede for all parents, that they may have the courage and be open to the graces of the Sacrament of Matrimony, and exercise the privilege of their “royal priesthood,” by praying with their children. May each family become a “domestic church, a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and of Christian charity.” (CCC 1666)
    
     *”But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2 vs.9)

1 comment:

  1. Amen! What comforting words Avia Joy. It is so disheartening when your children no longer practice their Catholic faith. May we be filled with faith, hope and trust in God's goodness and never stop praying for their conversion and/or constancy!

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