Today’s Gospel has a short phrase that we sometimes fail to notice. It says that Jesus was listening to the elders in the Temple. Granted, He was talking to them and they were impressed by the depth of his knowledge. But he was also listening to them.
The elders communicated their wisdom to Jesus and he was listening carefully. He benefited by listening to their wealth of experience.
When Jesus was a child, he was a good listener. And today I want to talk about seven things that every child needs to hear.
We know from our lived experience that kids seem to hear everything that we say. Kids are always listening to us. I will give an example.
One day little Johnny said some very naughty words. His mother confronted him and asked, “What do those words mean?” “I don’t know.” He said. “But Daddy always says those words when the lawn mower won’t start.” Yes. Kids are always listening to us and they remember what to say. So I wish to present seven things that children need to hear.
Number 1. They need to hear us say: “God loves you.” That is the most important truth we can tell our children. God loves you. They will carry that truth in their hearts all the days of their lives.
If you never tell your children and grandchildren that God loves them, you are leaving the door open for other voices to come along and tell them that they are no good and worthless. They will take on a poor self image instead of the good self image of being made in the image and likeness of God.
Now for the Second message that children need to hear from us: I love you. They need to hear us say those words each day: I love you. But it is also true that “Actions speak louder than words.” They need lots of hugs and they need us to spend quality time with them.
Children who are loved find it easy to believe that God loves them.
Message Number 3: I am here for you. Children need to know that their parents are always there for them. Parents need to let their children know that there's no situation too big or scary for them to handle.
Just as adults can take any of their concerns to God, children need to trust that they can bring any of their concerns to their parents and to God. God has designed parents with shoulders to cry on, arms to hug with, and mouths to speak words of comfort. Children need to know that their parents are always there for them.
Message Number 4. I am proud of you. It's important for children to hear us say the words. More important, perhaps, is the need for them to hear why we are proud of them.
I’m proud of you because you play fair. I’m proud of you because you do your chores without complaining. I’m proud of you because you help the other kids to learn their math. It’s important for kids to hear us say why we are proud of them.
Message Number 5. I made a mistake. Children need to see that we are human. Saying that you were wrong and saying that you are sorry communicates that you aren't perfect. Kids need to know that we make mistakes, and that making mistakes is okay. Admitting you were wrong shows them the proper response to making a mistake. It sets the stage for us to talk about sin. It lays the groundwork for us to quote the words of Pope Francis when he took office. On his first day in the Vatican, he said, “I am a sinner and I need Jesus to forgive me.”
When we say that we are sinful and that we need forgiveness we are setting the stage for teaching the children to admit that sometimes they are sinful and that they need forgiveness and that Jesus is always willing to forgive.
Message Number 6. There is a difference between right and wrong. That is one of our most important responsibilities. We have to teach children the difference between right and wrong. Too many children today are raised without a true sense of what is right and what is wrong. We need to hand on to them what was handed on to us: Namely the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament and the Two Great Commandments of Love in the New Testament.
We need to explain to children: If we are telling lies, we have to switch over to truth telling. If we are creating gossip, we have to switch over to saying positive things about people. If we are prideful, we have to switch over to being humble. If we are troublemakers, we have to become peacemakers. If we are cynical, we have to give others positive feedback. If we are using bad language, we have to change the way that we speak.
Message Number 7. Children need to hear that our values are Gospel values. What do I mean by Gospel values? I mean the goal of serving others without seeking any reward. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said: “The hypocrites do good deeds and then they expect to receive rewards. But my disciples do good deeds without seeking any rewards.”
Another gospel value is Respect. We show respect to each and every person. We respect our parents. We respect our elders. We respect our teachers. We respect the children. Why? Because each person is a Child of God.
That is a Gospel value. Galatians Chapter 3, Verse 26, says, “We are all children of God.” Every person is sacred. And that is why we show respect to everyone.
Bearing one another’s burdens is another Gospel value that we hand on to the children. That Gospel value is found in Galatians Chapter 6, verse 2: “Bear one another’s burdens and you will fulfill the law of Christ.” When a family member is sick, everyone pitches in to make sure that everything gets done. When a family member is cut from a sports team or loses their job, everyone consoles him or her. St. Paul said: If you bear one another’s burdens you will fulfill the law of Christ.
I will close with a summary of what we should be telling our children: God loves you and I love you. I am proud of you and I am always here for you. There is a difference between right and wrong and sometimes I make mistakes.
We have Gospel values that we live by: Respect for each person; Serving others without seeking rewards; And helping persons in need.
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