4Real Forums: Children Belong to the Reign of God

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

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Topic: Children Belong to the Reign of God

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Cay Gibson
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Joined: July 16 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5193

Posted: May 25 2006 at 10:27am \| IP Logged

I wasn't sure where to put this post so...whenever doubtful, go to Fireside Chat.

Anyone working with children in our diocese is required to take a Safe Environment class and test each year. I'm sure that's become the norm in your parishes as well. We'll be on vacation the week of the annual Safe Environment meeting in our parish so the DRE told me I could simply go online.

It's really ashame that one can simply take the test online and claim they've updated their Safe Environment status. Don't you think?

Anyway, I just finished taking the test and one part really stood out in my mind and heart. I think---as mothers and people who deal with children through our hs groups, church parish, etc.---we should keep this in check at all times...especially during those times our own children exasperate us.

The question read something like this: "Is there ever a time when violence is the only way to correct a child?"

I highlighted the part that I think we neeed to remember when disciplining our children.

*****

Isaiah 49: 1 "Yahweh called me from my mother’s womb; he pronounced my name before I was born."

"Each human life has the potentiality of becoming a work of art." Ira Procoff

"There is a superb creation existing within you." J. Francis Stroud S.J.

Mark 10:13-16 The image of Jesus embracing the children is a poignant one. While we are not surprised to find a special place for children in the message and action of Jesus, his followers at that time in history were surprised at his teaching. Children had a very low status. They were the weakest and most vulnerable members of the family and of society. In fact, 30 percent of children in those days died at birth or soon thereafter; 60 percent did not live past their 16th birthday. Until the age of maturity, the child was considered equal to a slave. In famine, elders were fed before the children.

In light of this attitude toward children, Jesus’ embrace of them was a radical gesture. He teaches us that children are special not so much because they are innocent, but because they are dependent and vulnerable. Lacking legal or physical power, not being able to voice their feelings, they are at the mercy of others. Children belong to the reign of God because they rely on God and not on their own powers. By laying his hands on them, Jesus recognizes their vulnerability, grants them safety, empowers them in the presence of the adults and assures them of his love. (Bishop Ricardo Ramirez)

__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks

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