DAILY HOMILIES #Children

How do we tap into the protection offered by our Guardian Angels? One: Be conscious of their existence. Many Christians today are unaware that they have guardian angels. Hence, they nurse unnecessary fears leading to anxiety, depression and faithlessness. Some Christians are more conscious of the powers of the demons than they are of their God-given powers. St. John writes: “Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4).

Parents, it is time to rise, take your children and flee from immorality, corruption, insincerity, indecency, drug abuse, and other vices. How do we protect our children? Be a light to them. Lead by example. Stop teaching your children how to tell lies, how to cheat in exams or prostitute themselves. Secondly, spend time with your children. Please do not leave them at the mercy of helpers, domestic staff or others who may harm their spiritual and moral development.

Children are impressionable; like clay, they are easier to mould when soft. However, they learn by example. There is a saying, ‘We cannot give what we don’t have.’ Bringing our children to God begins with bringing ourselves to God. If our practice of religion is just lip service (pretence), our children would know immediately. We would only be scandalising our children if we gave them instructions we never obey.

Joseph was just a child when he suffered betrayal from his brothers. The worst acts of man’s inhumanity to man today are evils meted out against children. Think of the millions of children whose lives are destroyed through abortion, child abuse, sexual assault, neglect, forced labour, and even prostitution. Be good to children. Help these little ones; help them achieve their dreams.

What do serpents do when they are under attack? What about doves? Do they remain in one position or try to defend themselves? Jesus is not saying we should be suicidal; instead, He is teaching us to avoid hatred for others. In the face of unprovoked attacks, we must do everything possible to defend ourselves, fight back or flee for safety. We must use every power we have to disarm, overpower or bring down our enemies, but we must never harbour hatred towards them.

When we say Mary is the Mother of the Church, we mean that she is the Mother of all who profess faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and God. The church goes beyond a building (made of bricks and stone); it is a collection of human beings (believers). Mary, as the mother of the church, refers to her role as the mother of all who believe in the divinity of Jesus, not just those who are devoted to her.

What does it mean to receive God’s kingdom like a child? It means having an open heart and being willing to learn and accept correction. It means trusting God entirely even when one does not understand Him. It means fearing God and doing everything possible to avoid sin. Today, Jesus wants us to recover our childlike spirit. Unless we revive our dead consciences, we cannot enter heaven.

Children are the future. If you fail to properly educate one child, at least morally, you literally destroy an entire generation. For Jesus, leading one child astray through bad example is such a grievous crime deserving of death by drowning with a millstone hung around one’s neck.

We all desire an easy life, but the truth is that “ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship.” Do not be afraid of embracing hardship, especially when it aims to achieve something good. Do not shy away from the cross. If you are ashamed to identify with Jesus in this world, Jesus would be ashamed of you in heaven. If you desire to true bliss tomorrow, embrace suffering today. The choice is yours to make, whether to follow the beatitudes or to disregard God and face the consequences.

Mary and Joseph knew that Jesus was God, meaning there was no need to bring the baby Jesus to the temple, but in humility (not wanting to appear like the special ones in their community), they followed the law. They presented God to God. Today’s Second Reading states: “He had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17).

St. John says: “The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love their brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:10). The children of the devil are never happy seeing others behave well. Also, the children of the devil do not love; they are always carrying hatred and bitterness in their hearts, always looking for an opportunity to steal, kill and destroy.

Wish your children well even when they offend you or fail to meet your expectations. Pray for them like Saint Monica, who prayed relentlessly for her son Augustine. Pray for them as Jacob did over his twelve sons, as seen in today’s first reading.