I would normally use this space during Catechetical Sunday, to write a bit about the new faith formation year. I’d use flowery language to encourage the parents about the pivotal role they play in the education of their children. That all remains to be true. We make a promise at Baptism, and we seek to see it through until our children are making their own religious profession, or baptising their own children, and beyond. That said, there is something a little more important to be addressed.
We are living in a dangerous time. There actually isn’t much new about that. Christians have been for as long as there have been followers of Christ. Yet there has been a disintegration of faith and life over the last several decades. It used to be that faith, and the family were at the core of life, and Americans took great pride in this. However, today, there has been an increase in violence, often unpredictable, and a recurring theme has been parents, families, and communities, that have failed to raise the alarm when something terrible was about to happen. In many cases there has been hateful indoctrination, or neglect within the homes of those who would go on to carry out hateful and violent acts. Beyond this, political leaders on both sides have failed to react to tragedy after tragedy because of political risk or ideology.
I am convinced that the only true solutions to these societal ills come from Jesus, and from parents who intentionally pursue the path of peace. We need to pray without ceasing that Christ’s will be done, and model true discipleship for our children, because the solutions to the ills of this world may be outside of our reach, but it is not too late for our children. This week let’s pray to Jesus the Prince of Peace that senseless violence will come to an end, and that our family homes might be a laboratory, and workshop for His peace. God Bless and have a safe week.