PARENTS are, of course, crucial in
family life and the
upbringing of children. After all, they are the ones who beget
children and form a family. In the long run, they are crucial in the
development of society, the world and the Church. Everything has to be
done for them to perform their duties to the full.
As begetters of children, they cooperate with God in the
creation of their offsprings. That’s why they are called procreators.
As such, they actually are the first link that their children have
with God, and the first ones to have authority over them, an authority
that is a sharing of the authority that God has over all mankind.
Let’s remember what St. Paul said in his Letter to the
Ephesians—that all paternity in heaven and earth is named after the
Father of Christ, God himself. (cfr. 3,14-15)
I am sure that our common sense could readily believe
that, since where or whom else can any authority here on earth come
from? It just cannot be of our own making. Our parenthood, our
authority over the children, our responsibility toward them cannot be
other than a vital participation of the fatherhood of God over all
mankind.
This is a basic truth about parenthood that should not be
lost to the progenitors, nor taken for granted. It has implications
and consequences that actually condition all the other duties of
parenthood.
We should not trivialize our parenthood and limit it to
its biological aspect alone, nor to its social or cultural aspects,
etc. Our parenthood over the children should reflect and cover as much
as we can the fatherhood of God over all of us.
This is where we can approach the fullness of parenthood.
It would be good if parents can meditate more on this basic truth so
as to draw practical resolutions that can guide them in a daily basis.
That’s why I was happy to read from St. John Paul II’s
apostolic exhortation, Familiaris consortio, the following words:
“Through the witness of their lives, parents are the first heralds of
the Gospel for their children.
“Furthermore, by praying with their children, by reading
the word of God with them and by introducing them deeply through
Christian initiation into the Body of Christ—both the Eucharistic and
the ecclesial Body—they become fully parents, in that they are
begetters not only of the bodily life but also of the life that
through the Spirit’s renewal flows from the Cross and Resurrection of
Christ.” (n.39)
Parents should understand this most important aspect of
parenthood, and should organize their married and family life in such
a way as to give due priority to this responsibility. May they know
how to properly blend the pressing and the precious concerns, the
short-term and the long-term goals, the incidental and the essential
aspects of family life.
It would be good if time and effort is spent to translate
this ideal into a practical plan that is effective in the daily life
of the family. I am sure that with a proper intention and will in this
regard, and availing of all the subsidiary help provided by schools,
parishes and other groups, this task can be facilitated.
There are many aspects of parenting that need to be
integrated and inspired by the proper spirit. To mention a few,
parents should know, for example, what to do when their children are
still infants, toddlers, adolescents, young adults and mature persons.
They have to be aware of the distinctive needs each age
would have, the possible dangers and the new horizons each child may
be introduced to as he or she passes from one stage to another. In
this, we have to aim at nothing less than competence and expertise.
At this time when things are getting very complex and
complicated, the task of parenthood can be very challenging as well
and should not be taken for granted. There should be more effort
invested to see how parenthood can be effective and lived to the full.
In short, the art of parenthood should somehow be
professionalized, with continuing scientific studies and monitoring of
relevant developments being made, and sustained by prayers, sacrifices
and the other elements of a vibrant piety.
What is crucial is the cooperation of everyone, and a
great amount of sacrifice, even to the point of heroism, because a lot
of thankless efforts really have to be exerted here.
It’s good that aside from what are done in the diocesan
and parochial levels, there are now private initiatives getting
involved in this universal concern.
children and form a family. In the long run, they are crucial in the
development of society, the world and the Church. Everything has to be
done for them to perform their duties to the full.
As begetters of children, they cooperate with God in the
creation of their offsprings. That’s why they are called procreators.
As such, they actually are the first link that their children have
with God, and the first ones to have authority over them, an authority
that is a sharing of the authority that God has over all mankind.
Let’s remember what St. Paul said in his Letter to the
Ephesians—that all paternity in heaven and earth is named after the
Father of Christ, God himself. (cfr. 3,14-15)
I am sure that our common sense could readily believe
that, since where or whom else can any authority here on earth come
from? It just cannot be of our own making. Our parenthood, our
authority over the children, our responsibility toward them cannot be
other than a vital participation of the fatherhood of God over all
mankind.
This is a basic truth about parenthood that should not be
lost to the progenitors, nor taken for granted. It has implications
and consequences that actually condition all the other duties of
parenthood.
We should not trivialize our parenthood and limit it to
its biological aspect alone, nor to its social or cultural aspects,
etc. Our parenthood over the children should reflect and cover as much
as we can the fatherhood of God over all of us.
This is where we can approach the fullness of parenthood.
It would be good if parents can meditate more on this basic truth so
as to draw practical resolutions that can guide them in a daily basis.
That’s why I was happy to read from St. John Paul II’s
apostolic exhortation, Familiaris consortio, the following words:
“Through the witness of their lives, parents are the first heralds of
the Gospel for their children.
“Furthermore, by praying with their children, by reading
the word of God with them and by introducing them deeply through
Christian initiation into the Body of Christ—both the Eucharistic and
the ecclesial Body—they become fully parents, in that they are
begetters not only of the bodily life but also of the life that
through the Spirit’s renewal flows from the Cross and Resurrection of
Christ.” (n.39)
Parents should understand this most important aspect of
parenthood, and should organize their married and family life in such
a way as to give due priority to this responsibility. May they know
how to properly blend the pressing and the precious concerns, the
short-term and the long-term goals, the incidental and the essential
aspects of family life.
It would be good if time and effort is spent to translate
this ideal into a practical plan that is effective in the daily life
of the family. I am sure that with a proper intention and will in this
regard, and availing of all the subsidiary help provided by schools,
parishes and other groups, this task can be facilitated.
There are many aspects of parenting that need to be
integrated and inspired by the proper spirit. To mention a few,
parents should know, for example, what to do when their children are
still infants, toddlers, adolescents, young adults and mature persons.
They have to be aware of the distinctive needs each age
would have, the possible dangers and the new horizons each child may
be introduced to as he or she passes from one stage to another. In
this, we have to aim at nothing less than competence and expertise.
At this time when things are getting very complex and
complicated, the task of parenthood can be very challenging as well
and should not be taken for granted. There should be more effort
invested to see how parenthood can be effective and lived to the full.
In short, the art of parenthood should somehow be
professionalized, with continuing scientific studies and monitoring of
relevant developments being made, and sustained by prayers, sacrifices
and the other elements of a vibrant piety.
What is crucial is the cooperation of everyone, and a
great amount of sacrifice, even to the point of heroism, because a lot
of thankless efforts really have to be exerted here.
It’s good that aside from what are done in the diocesan
and parochial levels, there are now private initiatives getting
involved in this universal concern.
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