My faith teaches all human beings are created in the image of God, the Creator, and the Master of the universe and He has a divine purpose.
If I had children, they would be adults with children of their own. I weep and mourn when I read of people who are ignorant of the sanctity of their lives and divine purpose but freely kill at random. Little ones demonstrate their hopelessness by taking their own life.
I suggest it is because my generation failed miserably to teach our children to fear God and honor human life. The Cold War, Korea, and Viet Nam were so devastating that we were supposed to humble ourselves before God, pray, and fast for the leaders in our country, military, and our church.
We were supposed to selflessly live and practice God's Word for His Glory alone. We failed to humble ourselves before our God and seek His Word. We failed to demonstrate that what we do before the Holy Presence in our church is to continue in our daily lives. We were so distracted by wasteful church programs, promotions, ungodly politics, and marketing, that we did not demonstrate and teach our children the Holy Life before God; a daily life to Honor God and humanity. We turned away from the One True God and created our idol of 'do your own thing.' As a Holiness separate people, we enjoyed judging and condemning others who had never been taught the Way of Christ rather than heed His warning, '...it will be as a millstone on our neck and we are cast in the sea' (Matthew 18.6). The religious hypocrite-play actors all went to church every time the door opened and left just as they entered with no repentance and hunger for God but continued in their criticisms, bigotry, and constant raving against people they pretended to love, and the children were completely attentive at the Sunday dinner table.
Now our bored, 30, 40, 50-year-old children will not earn a living but will be paid by our government to stay on their couch entertaining their desires. When they become bored, they kill. Our neglected little grandchildren take their own lives in complete hopelessness because they never learned about a personal God who loves them and there are no adults they can trust. Our generation taught us only to disrespect God and our leadership. The late 50's television programs with their disrespectful humor toward our government and churches taught that we have to live for ourselves because we cannot trust our government, our parents, or civil authority. Celebrities advertised every smoke, drink, and habit to make us feel good. It follows that people kill at random and small pre-pubescent children take their own lives.
Desperately wanting the best life possible, I worked jobs to save for their schooling;
but missed their sorrow after the playground fight and their triumphant victory at the game.
My children were safe at home enjoying the sitcoms TV who mocked parents, teachers, law, and church.
The PTA needed volunteer help and offered some important referral names;
neglecting my children for a few names who knew college administrators.
My children were safe at home learning all about the needle.
I was called into work and they promised me a raise;
I missed the call from the nurse's office...
I missed the call from the police station...
But didn't miss the funerals.
As I receive the Blessed Host during Holy Communion, I wonder if I am guilty of the Savior's blood. I wonder why 'my son' killed and was killed so freely...or why my 'precious grandchildren' are too afraid to go to school and would rather feel empowered by the cause they can believe in with the mob rioting outside.
Yes, I think we missed teaching our children as our parents taught us who God is and how very precious we are in His sight.
Starting right now...now is the time of Salvation and now is the time to teach our children/grandchildren well: Who God is and how very precious we are in His sight.
After all, when we attend the Holy Mass do we not partake of the Blessed Host?
Our Lord Jesus will help us. Our Lord Jesus will save us. Will we ask?
Cat's in the Cradle, by Sandy & Harry Chapin
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