What a World We Live in, What Can Be Done?

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.

Finding Good Media

Remember when I did a bulletin article about the faithful messages that could be found in everyday secular places? I had just gone to see the most recent Fast and Furious movie, and was delighted by messages about family? That was definitely a stretch, but aside from the output of Angel Studies, and the makers of Chosen, maybe some Christian music imprints, we aren’t provided with many bright lights for Christian Entertainment. Sure you can look to places like Formed.org to get your fix (and can do so for free as a parishioner) you have to dig for the good stuff. You aren’t necessarily getting it for easy consumption, alongside blockbusters. 

Good news about the Good News everyone! There is currently a movie out in theaters right now called ‘Light of the World’ a 2D animated film by the Salvation Poem Project. The movie tells the story of Jesus from the perspective of a very young St. John the Apostle. If you are looking for a straight and stiff retelling of the scripture you’ll be out of luck. Early on in the story telling there are action scenes reminiscent of the Disney Film Aladdin. There are powerful tellings of certain miracles, and the feeling and humanity of the story shine through.

The film isn’t completely without reproach. The leaders of the day, such as the high priest are dehumanized as the standard dastardly villain. Certain miracles are left out of the story which is understandable given what a reasonable run time should be. Still other miracles and events that are unique to the Gospel of John were condensed or glossed over. Of interest is the fact that the end of the movie has a call to accept Jesus, with a QR code to some good resources to learn more. If it is a rainy day, and you’d like something to do with your children, I’d encourage you to take the time to go see this in the theaters. We often complain about how there are negative things of great numbers in the culture, I’d encourage you to support something that is decidedly positive! 

This week let’s pray for the creators out in the world trying to share the Gospel, especially with those who’ve never received it, or have rejected it, so that our families, and community can continue to share the Good News with all peoples. God Bless and have wonderful week.

Getting Back to It

The slow down of summer has ground to a halt. Summer work schedules, and the kids are back off to school. This is our first Sunday post Labor Day, and I am thrilled to see that you have all returned. Time to get back to it all. While it is extremely late, it’s not too late to register for Families of Faith if you just haven’t gotten around to it, but come on, let’s prioritize faith formation for our children about as much as we prioritize getting our kids into the Ivy Leagues for College! 

What do we do to make that happen? We drive them to travel league sports, give up family dinners for practices or rehearsals. We buy that super rare instrument so that they can get 1st chair in that orchestra. We give up our weekends to travel for tournaments. We hire expensive tutors to get the grades, we make sure they have the best test prep for the ACTs and SATs and any other acronymed test. We do these things in hope that they will be successful in life, that they can (maybe) do better than we have, so that they can live an easier and more fulfilling life. It’s a great goal, but the truth is, unfortunately even this shall pass. In reality, life is fleeting, and we have to look to even more eternal goals. 

We want what’s best for our children, I think that is somewhat universal. The things that are eternal have to do with our relationship with God. What did we do to make the world like heaven on earth? What can we do to build that important relationship now, so that we can continue that on well past our earthly life. There used to be a time when we worried about hellfire and brimstone. The material imagery we use to illuminate a spiritual reality. When we fail to attain heaven, it is because we’ve rejected a relationship with God our Creator. God is the source of all that is good and perfect. We choose to be distant from Him, from that. 

How miserable do we feel when we are distanced from the ones we love: When we lose them to death, or physical distance? How terrible do children feel if they perceive that their parents don;’t care about them, because they are always busy, or on their devices instead of interacting with them? I imagine that this sort of loss echoes what it is like to be separated from God, just it would be an eternal feeling. 

There are two gifts we can give to our children as the school year begins. Let us share with them our presence, and a great experience of relationship with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This week, as a community, let us pray for the families of our parish, both present, and absent, that they can be better equipped to provide their children with the back to school,  and back to God essentials. God Bless and have an excellent week.