51 So he went with them to Natzeret and was obedient to them. But his mother stored up all these things in her heart.
Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the ChurchEach year, Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. (Luke 2:41)
Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Optional Memorial) or The Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Optional Memorial)
Never underestimate the effect of a consistent witness! Jesus’ life as a boy was in part defined by his parents’ yearly trip to Jerusalem for Passover. The trip, which was sixty-five miles and probably took four days, provided a certain rhythm to Jesus’ boyhood. It was something his family did; it was part of their identity. Yes, it was Jesus himself who impressed the teachers at the Temple, but it was his regular trips to the holy city that made him comfortable at the Temple and spiked his interest in what the teachers were talking about.
What do you do as a family to make your children more comfortable with their faith? Do you pray together? Some families say morning or evening prayer, others say the rosary together, and others go to daily Mass. Some families read Scripture or do Bible studiestogether. Others make it a point to give time on the weekends to service opportunities like donating meals to the poor, visiting nursing homes, or giving “angel tree” gifts at Christmastime. It doesn’t have to involve a big commitment of time or money, either. Simply blessing your children every night before bed can speak volumes to them of who you are and what you treasure.
Practices like these, while not an end in themselves, are clearly signs of our faith, signs that our children will read and understand, even if they don’t always appreciate them! Remember that what you do, and the priorities that you set for yourself and your family, speak volumes about who you are and what is important to you. Children instintively pick that up.
No matter what you do, know that it will make a difference in your family! Your faith traditions, whatever they are, will send the message that God plays an important role in your life. And these messages, lived out consistently, always have a positive effect.
“Thank you, Father, that your grace can transform us even in small ways. Thank you that the power of a consistent witness can be like drops of water flowing into a river!” Amen!
Luke 2:41 Every year Yeshua’s parents went to Yerushalayim for the festival of Pesach. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up for the festival, as custom required. 43 But after the festival was over, when his parents returned, Yeshua remained in Yerushalayim. They didn’t realize this; 44 supposing that he was somewhere in the caravan, they spent a whole day on the road before they began searching for him among their relatives and friends. 45 Failing to find him, they returned to Yerushalayim to look for him. 46 On the third day they found him — he was sitting in the Temple court among the rabbis, not only listening to them but questioning what they said; 47 and everyone who heard him was astonished at his insight and his responses. 48 When his parents saw him, they were shocked; and his mother said to him, “Son! Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been terribly worried looking for you!” 49 He said to them, “Why did you have to look for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be concerning myself with my Father’s affairs?” 50 But they didn’t understand what he meant.
51 So he went with them to Natzeret and was obedient to them. But his mother stored up all these things in her heart.
2 Corinthians 5:14 For the Messiah’s love has hold of us, because we are convinced that one man died on behalf of all mankind (which implies that all mankind was already dead), 15 and that he died on behalf of all in order that those who live should not live any longer for themselves but for the one who on their behalf died and was raised. 16 So from now on, we do not look at anyone from a worldly viewpoint. Even if we once regarded the Messiah from a worldly viewpoint, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is united with the Messiah, he is a new creation — the old has passed; look, what has come is fresh and new! 18 And it is all from God, who through the Messiah has reconciled us to himself and has given us the work of that reconciliation, 19 which is that God in the Messiah was reconciling mankind to himself, not counting their sins against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore we are ambassadors of the Messiah; in effect, God is making his appeal through us. What we do is appeal on behalf of the Messiah, “Be reconciled to God! 21 God made this sinless man be a sin offering on our behalf, so that in union with him we might fully share in God’s righteousness.”Psalm 103:(0) By David:
(1) Bless Adonai, my soul!
Everything in me, bless his holy name!
2 Bless Adonai, my soul,
and forget none of his benefits!
3 He forgives all your offenses,
he heals all your diseases,
4 he redeems your life from the pit,
he surrounds you with grace and compassion,
9 He will not always accuse,
he will not keep his anger forever.
10 He has not treated us as our sins deserve
or paid us back for our offenses,
11 because his mercy toward those who fear him
is as far above earth as heaven.
12 He has removed our sins from us
as far as the east is from the west.
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