Christifidelis Laici 62

Last week, in our continuing discussion of Pope St. John Paul the Great’s exhortation on the lay-faithful, we discussed the formation of the human person that must occur in order for the laity to recognize HOW they are to take up their call to holiness and the call following on that to evangelization of their homes, places of work, schools, and all public places.  We recognized that this formation begins in the Church, especially at holy Mass and before the Blessed Sacrament; it also takes place in the homilies and letters such as this which lead all of God’s holy people to a more intimate relationship with Him, a deeper love for neighbor, and a greater desire to bring Him to the world.  This week, in section 62, we are called to recognize that this formation takes place in a special and privileged way in the home and in Catholic schools.

Parents are called upon, at the baptism of their child(ren) to recognize that in asking for baptism for their children they are accepting the responsibility of raising them to love God above all things, and to love their neighbor as themselves.  Parents are the first teachers of their children in this way of life: both in time, and in precedence.  So many surveys have shown that as much as children care about the regard of their peers, they care (on the whole) so much more about the regard of their parents.  It is important then that parents help their children to remain focused on Christ in all that they do.  It is also important that parents ensure that the teachers, coaches, and other mentors to which they entrust their children in various areas of life hold these same values and are committed to leading their children in a life of virtue.

For this reason, Catholic schools continue to be considered a privileged way in which parents carry out this promise to God on behalf of their children.  It is also for this reason that Bishop Callahan is so determined that the Catholic schools in the Diocese of La Crosse remain open and continually strive to carry out this sacred mission more and more thoroughly.  So…

    1.  How conscious am I of raising my children, or of being an example to the children around me in virtue and in holiness, keeping their eyes always focused on Christ?

    2.  Do I ensure that the people to whom I am entrusting my children are supporting the virtues in which I have been called to form my children?

    3.  Do I put God first in my life, and do I govern the activities and social life of my children so that God always comes first in their lives?

Challenge:  Use the above questions as the basis for an examination of conscience.  Give praise to God for the ways in which you have cooperated with His grace in staying focused on Him; take to the Sacrament of Reconciliation / Confession those times in which you have put Him in second place in the lives of your children.