Sound Upbringing

Today’s Gospel Text:  At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus; 2 and he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist, he has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him." 3 For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison, for the sake of Hero'di-as, his brother Philip's wife; 4 because John said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." 5 And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. 6 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Hero'di-as danced before the company, and pleased Herod, 7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter." 9 And the king was sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given; 10 he sent and had John beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came and took the body and buried it; and they went and told Jesus. Matt 14:1-12

Reflection: The parent-child relationship is a special relationship; a relationship of tender care and guidance.

Yet it may not always be that the parent may train up their children in the way of sound morality and sound doctrine.

How unfortunate is our generation that parents train up their children either in the ways of the world or expect the school, in which they are, to bring them up in the sound principles of life.

How many parents can say with conviction that they have brought up their children well or given them constant guidance in the ways of righteousness?

Many of them do not know the way of righteousness themselves, so what could the children expect from their parents.

Some depend on the poorly formed priests and religious leaders of our time and expect them to teach their children the ways of the faith.

How many of our modern parents do the least expected of them: Pray along or with their children daily and in a dedicated manner. 

Then will they be able to add to their prayer time instructions concerning the faith, which they can freely avail through the catechism of the Church or reading of well discerned articles and explaining  them to their children.

How many of our children are trained in holy disobedience, which is to reject what is contrary to the faith and sound morality even in the face of odds?

If only Herodias had taught her daughter these sound elements of faith rather than to dance to her tune then the daughter would not have been party to her mother’s crime; a crime she may escape in this life but not in the eternal of life.

Alas the future we intend giving our children, only for this life!

Prayer:  God our Father, your care reaches to all who call on you, may we constantly reject all that is not of you and teach our children to do the same.

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