This Sunday we find ourselves called to look to see if we are “putting limits on the Holy Spirit.” In the Gospel of John, the apostles question the mighty deeds a man performs in Jesus’ name. The apostles did not know this man and so they tell him to stop—he is not one of them—doing these things? Jesus tells His disciples, “Do not prevent him” (Mark 9:39) for if this man is performing mighty deeds in Jesus’ name, then God is with him, “for whoever is not against us is for us” (9:40). Do we put limits on those who teach the faith without an “official” title? Today’s readings call us to be open to the Holy Spirit and to all those who God calls to proclaim His Word. The issue is less about “official credentials” and more about our certainty of Jesus’ teachings.
In the second half of the Gospel we move in a different direction: we hear that even the smallest act of kindness per-formed in Christ’s name will be rewarded, and that to lead an-other to sin is the worst thing we can do—worse than dying. In examining our conscience we must look to see if our actions lead us—and others—to sin. Do our actions—or even being lukewarm to Christ’s faith—create an opportunity for sin as we replace Christ’s teaching with our own? When we refuse to judge some-thing—to be either righteous or evil or when we try to make everyone feel as though its okay to do what you want because after all, a victimless crime is just that, victimless—does this lack of action lead others astray? Do we believe that by calling for no absolute truths that we are abdicating our responsibility to “teach and preach” what we heard from God? This is just a question, not a judgment. But how does that thought make us feel? Comfort-able—and firm in what we believe and do…or a little concerned about our compass, about the source or foundation of our beliefs and actions…and how they are viewed by God?
FACTOIDS of interest as religious education classes begin—I thought the following summarized information from Boston College’s C21 (the Church in the 21st Century Center) is very timely and worth the read...its a great reinforcement to those who make the time to both participate in religious education and also attend Mass as a family and live-out their faith together. And for those who are wondering if “its all worth it,” well here are some interesting things to ponder:
1. How does family religious involvement benefit children, teens, and adults, and strengthen the family?
A growing body of empirical research demonstrates that a family’s religious involvement directly benefits children, teens, and adults in a variety of very significant ways. In their survey of the research literature, David Dollahite and Jennifer Thatcher found the following benefits of a family’s religious involvements: Divorce rates are lower and marital satisfaction and quality scores highest among religiously involved couples; Religious practices are linked with family satisfaction, closer father-child, and closer parent-child relationships; There is less domestic violence among more religious couples, and religious parents are less likely to abuse or yell at their children; Greater religiosity in parents and youth is associated with a variety of protective factors for adolescents. Adolescent religiosity is inversely related with many high-risk behaviors, all of which have potential to greatly influence the adolescents’ current and future family relationships.
“…it appears that one of the most important things parents can do for their children is spiritual and religious experience and community.” (Dollahite and Thatcher, 10).
2. What is the impact of parental faith on children and teens?
Of parents who report that their faith is extremely important in their daily lives, 67% of their teens report that faith is extremely or very important in their daily lives, only 8% of those parents’ teens report that faith is not important;
Of parents who report that faith is somewhat important in their daily lives, 61% of their children report the same, only 8% report it is not important;
Of parents who report that faith is not important at all, 47% of their teens also report that faith is not important; and only 2% of the teens report that faith is extremely important in their lives.
3. What are the core family faith practices?
Family faith conversations—listening and responding to daily concerns with a faith perspective makes it easier to have meaningful conversations about God. Hearing their parent’s “faith stories” is one of the most important influences on the faith of children or teenagers;
Liturgy, family devotions, and prayer—family devotions, prayer and participation in the liturgy provide a way to learn more about scripture and Christian traditions; Family service—engaging in service with one’s family can be a powerful opportunity for growing in faith;
Family rituals and traditions—families identify themselves and tell their family stories through daily routines, celebrations, and rituals. They communicate meaning, values, and relationships that exist between people and with God (including God’s created universe);
Family meal—research demonstrates that eating together as a family five or more times a week is strongly linked to lower incidences of bad outcome such as teenage drug and alcohol use, and to good qualities like emotional stability, low levels of family stress, and good parent/child/teen relationships.
Research illustrates that “the family is the first community of faith and the most powerful influence on the faith of children and teenagers.” The Church has always taught that “parents are the first and the best of teachers of their children...” (Baptismal Ritual). We recognize that today’s families are stressed by work, sports, and busy school schedules, and one of the first things to suffer due to these additional stresses is religious activities. Yet this study and article shows the important impact faith and family have on our children—now and forever…even eternity.
In this parish, it is our collective attempt (and obligation) to work with our parents to make sure that they are the “first of teachers and the best of teachers” when it comes to living out their faith. Our religious education, Confirmation, and Youth Ministry programs do their utmost to offer a variety of assistance in both scripture- and tradition-based learning, as well as in programmatic activities in order to put into practice the living Word of God. And, our new Mass schedule was designed to dove-tail well with busy schedules and non-Church activities—with even the secular demands now placed on weekends—so that families may worship together and benefit greatly from a stronger and ever-growing relationship with God.
It requires a commitment from us all—the Church and the faithful—and the courage to recognize what is truly important in our lives—both here in the material world and in the next World to come.
Peace,
-Fr. Michael
