Gifts That Are Given to Us

      As we finish the Christmas Season this weekend I am thinking about the continuation of the story of Jesus’ infancy. The story does not end with a birth, a visitation from the Magi, and a presentation in the Temple. Mary and
Joseph are gifted with the great responsibility to nourish, protect, and teach Jesus who will become the Messiah.

      I have also been thinking about and praying for the young mothers and young fathers of infants and toddlers in our faith community. Some of these mothers are very young. Some of the fathers are very young, too. I have met new mothers who have two or more years of high school remaining. They have a great task before them to raise a child while at the same time trying to finish their basic educa􀆟on. In some cases the mother has graduated from high school and the father has not, so she begins work. In other cases the father is out of high school, but not working, or worse, not accepting his responsibilities as father of the child and supporter of the mother and child. Teen mothers have had to start legal proceedings in order to enforce child support payments for the adult father (adult by age if not maturity).

      Mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and others – please enter into some important conversation and relationship building with your early (12-14 years old) adolescent children!!! They need your wisdom and counsel. They need to know about good moral decision-making as well as human biology and sexuality. They need to know about the gifts that God has given them and about how to use them and respond to those gifts with maturity, prudence, and faith.

      I love and accept the teenagers regardless how much trouble they cause for themselves or others. I love the babies and children of teenage parents. They need love, protection, and care. I also cherish teenagers who show wisdom and maturity by not reacting to every physical or emotional impulse that they may experience, especially in terms of sex. Parents and teenagers, and teenage parents, I am praying for you and for your infant and young children. Please do not be afraid of each other. Converse, share and learn from each other. Please!!!

Peace Fr. Andy