Let Us “Protect” Our Children
There are so many challenges for keeping our children safe and healthy. We must protect our daughters and sons at home, at school, and at sporting and social events. Sometimes, we need to trust other family members or friends with the task of watching our children. Of course, at school, we entrust our children to teachers and staff who have been trained to educate and protect. At church, too, we demand professionalism in ministry and respect for our children.
Our children deserve such loving protection. We must help them when they do not know how to help themselves. For instance, we are required to have special car seats for babies and children under a certain age and size. These seats have proven to be very helpful in moments of accidents or sudden stops. As responsible parents and adults, we must drive safely for the sake of the children. Driving impaired by lack of sleep, or consumption of alcohol, or by being distracted by cell phones are indications of a lack of prudence and care for the vulnerable. Children of a certain age cannot determine an adult’s capacity to drive. They have no choice. They must trust us. Are we trustworthy?
In addition to protecting the children from physical harm, we need to assess our effectiveness as teachers about the Catholic faith and the spiritual life. We must respond to their spiritual needs in the world in which we currently live. The world and our local community have changed since many of us were children and adolescents. This generation requires explanation, rationale, and proof about elements of their faith. The word of the parents or grandparents is not sufficient.
So, we must provide them proof. We must show them that, “my faith in the God of Jesus Christ, matters!” We need to demonstrate the value of our own peace and strength, even in the midst of difficulties, illnesses, tragedies and sufferings. Our preparation for celebrating the Sacrament of Eucharist on Sundays, or the Sacrament of Reconciliation on a regular basis, will influence our children. If our children see us abandon the community of faith, or only seek the community’s help in times of need, they will learn that faith communities are one-sided relationships. They will learn that, “We go to the church when we are in need.”
In fact, we must grow in our knowledge of Scripture, spirituality (forming a relationship with God), church teachings, and worship, etc. We must foster our children’s awareness that in the midst of a world that emphasizes individual needs, our faith demands that we endeavor to build up the community in love. Let us “protect” our children and give them the safety of a prayerful and loving community of faith.
Peace, Fr. Andy