This weekends reading of the Gospel, Mathew 5:17-37, reminds us that it is not enough to avoid adultery and killing; we are to refrain from anger and lust as well. And when we say yes we must mean yes, and no, must mean no.
This reading lead our priest to a discussion, he calls it a reflection, on the Ten Commandments. He concluded by telling us, once again, that God gave us these commandments because He loves us! He loves us enough to tell us what is right and what is wrong. Nothing very new about that, but it was nice to hear, once again, that God loves us. Even more, he offers us forgiveness when we mess up.
This got me thinking about our duty as parents to teach our kids right from wrong. Childhood, if not life itself, is too short to let them make all the mistakes themselves. They need our guidance! Our constant guidance!
Several weeks ago a repairman was at our home and some how the conversation came around to going to church. He told us that he and his wife never “…made our kids go to church. We told them they could make up their minds about that when they became adults.”
“And do they go to church now that they are adults?” I asked. “No,” he said. “But that’s OK.”
I let the conversation go when he said that. Mary told me later that she was afraid I would get him in an argument and keep him here for another hour.and she reminded me, “He’s was on the clock”.
Often times parents are afraid kids won’t like them if they are too directive. They are afraid correction will hurt their self esteem, and direction will destroy their ability to make decisions later on in their lives.
It was about at this point that I directed my attention back to the preacher. “How many times does scripture tell us to fear not?”, he asked.
Now I know that we parents are not gods, even though our kids may look at us that way. But like God, we must listen to and really hear our kids. Love them enough to teach them right from wrong, direct them in the right path, and forgive them when they wonder off the way.
Thanks Fr. Joe for your inspiration!