By Deacon Jim Krupka
I continue to draw from Pope Francis’ teaching on love in the family. Moving from his message about marriage, he speaks of children as a source of joy. As husband and wife are the home’s foundation, children are the “living stones” that build the structure. The world needs parents and children. The presence of children is essential for continuity of faith. Measured by occurrence, the word “child is second only to the name of God (YHWH) in the Bible.
Children are a gift to be treasured and nurtured. The family is the place where children grow in faith. The family is where parents become their children’s first teachers and best teachers. Parents are reminded of this during the Baptism rite. The Pope compares the passing of the faith to a new generation to the passing of a trade or profession. Humanity learns most by drawing from what was known before us—the early faith tradition from Exodus emphasized this faith handoff to children. “When in time to come your son asks you… You shall say to him…” (Ex 13:14).
The Bible emphasizes parents’ serious responsibility in teaching their children the truths of faith. Children do their part as they practice the commandment: “Honor your father and your mother.” There is much in this for children. Scripture promises that “Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and whoever glorifies his mother is like one who lays up treasure” (Sir 3:3-4).
The Gospel reminds us that children are not by any means property or beings that we have. Children have their own lives as they grow to take their turn in society. They will nurture their own vocation in faith based on what their parents give them. Jesus in the Holy Family is the model. After being found in the Temple, at twelve, Jesus tells Mary and Joseph that he has a greater mission to accomplish. It must have taken a lot of work from Mary and Joseph to bring Jesus to that point. He had a foundation of faith, wisdom, and physical strength to engage the elders in the Temple. Yet, Jesus still honors his parents as they leave the Temple. Jesus seems like any other growing teen as scripture says, “He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.” (Lk2:51-52). “Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favor before God.” Mary did what a parent does. She “kept all these things in her heart.”