Daily Retreat 08/19/06
2006 Aug 19 Sat: Ordinary Weekday/ BVM/ John Eudes, p, rf
Ez 18: 1-10. 13b. 30-32/ Ps 50(51): 12-13. 14-15. 18-19/ Mt 19: 13-15
From today’s readings: “Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, each one according to his ways, says the Lord GOD.... Create a clean heart in me, O God.... Suffer the little children to come to Me....”
Parents and Godparents
As a priest, it’s a privilege to share the joy of parents who present a newborn baby for the blessing and sacramental regeneration of baptism.- and today in particular, for I will be joining my brother and sister-in-law in Montana for the celebration of the baptism of my neonate niece!
But while parents and godparents at baptism so earnestly bring their children to Jesus, sometimes, there’s a lack of follow-through, and they forget to continue bringing their children to the One who said, “Let the children come to Me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Not only should they pray for their children everyday, but parents can and should pray with their little children - even before they’ve learned to speak, children can be taught gestures (such as the Sign of the Cross) and given appropriate sacramentals, such as a little wall crucifix, that can remind the children about the love and presence of God.. Children of any age can be read Bible stories, and each Sunday at Church, their parents can point out the different things that make the House of God a special place of prayer.
Godparents have an ongoing role in all this as well, and the help they give parents is especially crucial in our secular age. If you have the privilege of serving as a godparent, make sure to ask God to help you today (and everyday!) to faithfully fulfill your commitment of praying for your godchildren, helping them to grow in their faith, and setting a good example for them of strong Christian commitment.
Ez 18: 1-10. 13b. 30-32/ Ps 50(51): 12-13. 14-15. 18-19/ Mt 19: 13-15
From today’s readings: “Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, each one according to his ways, says the Lord GOD.... Create a clean heart in me, O God.... Suffer the little children to come to Me....”
Parents and Godparents
As a priest, it’s a privilege to share the joy of parents who present a newborn baby for the blessing and sacramental regeneration of baptism.- and today in particular, for I will be joining my brother and sister-in-law in Montana for the celebration of the baptism of my neonate niece!
But while parents and godparents at baptism so earnestly bring their children to Jesus, sometimes, there’s a lack of follow-through, and they forget to continue bringing their children to the One who said, “Let the children come to Me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Not only should they pray for their children everyday, but parents can and should pray with their little children - even before they’ve learned to speak, children can be taught gestures (such as the Sign of the Cross) and given appropriate sacramentals, such as a little wall crucifix, that can remind the children about the love and presence of God.. Children of any age can be read Bible stories, and each Sunday at Church, their parents can point out the different things that make the House of God a special place of prayer.
Godparents have an ongoing role in all this as well, and the help they give parents is especially crucial in our secular age. If you have the privilege of serving as a godparent, make sure to ask God to help you today (and everyday!) to faithfully fulfill your commitment of praying for your godchildren, helping them to grow in their faith, and setting a good example for them of strong Christian commitment.
posted by FrPitstick | 8/14/2006
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