Parental Advice

Today’s Gospel Text:  Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; 43 and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the company they went a day's journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; 47 and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." 49 And he said to them, "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" 50 And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; Luke 2:41-51

Reflection: What do we teach our children?

It is always nice to see parents teaching their children the good things of life, the many positive human values, on how to live and behave in society and with others.

Most of the character formation of a child takes place at home: 

In school or in friends circles a child picks up traits which may spoil the character of a child but yet it need not always be a worry with good parents who know the art of parenting.

They can pick up from the bad things their child has learnt and make it work for the good of the child; on how not to behave from existing bad behavior patterns as examples to unlearn.

But the problem arises when parents themselves don’t live as role models to their children and there is a big discrepancy in what they teach their child and what they portray.

With what moral authority can a parent teach the child to be courteous or kind and they themselves often don’t practice what they teach their children.

This in no way means that one should stop teaching ones children the good behavior patterns of life, just because one cannot live up to the normal standards of living.

Every individual is duty bound to teach what is right and wrong, because sound morality is based on truth and is the essence of life and just because one is on a suicide mission does not mean that one should drag the whole world with it.  

In the gospel we could have a similar confusing situation which the Child Jesus goes through and revealed to us in that part when his parents ultimately finds him and he confronts them: "How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (vs. 49) 

A careful look at that statement clearly shows us from where he learnt that and yet he knew that the very source from where he learnt  such wisdom were also an authority on what his future action should be and when it has to be performed.

Prayer:  Lord, help me to go back through my childhood and learn whatever sound things I have learnt from my parents, teachers, mentor’s and elders, in keep with your word and renounce all that is not of you.

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