The scripture concludes that Jesus returned with his parents and was subject to them. He honored his father and his mother and was subject to them. How do parents prepare their children for God’s purposes? By being parents’ worthy of being honored by their children. That begins by understanding that the family belongs to God.When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Lk. 2
Adam and Eve started the blame game by blaming anyone other than themselves for their own decision.Adam answered, “I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, because I was naked, so I hid.” Then God asked: Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat?The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me—she gave me fruit from the tree, so I ate it.”The LORD God then asked the woman: What is this you have done? The woman answered, “The snake tricked me, so I ate it.” Gen. 3:10-13
The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry and dejected. Then the LORD said to Cain: Why are you angry? Why are you dejected? If you act rightly, you will be accepted; but if not, sin lies in wait at the door: its urge is for you, yet you can rule over it. Gen. 4:4-7
Competition has an important place in every child’s development, but rivalry is not healthy for children or adults. The purpose of competition is to push us to develop our own talents. But rivalry takes a different turn. Rivalry sets people against each other in destructive ways. It ruins sports and teaches dominance and, ultimately, violence. Children who cheat on tests do so to avoid dealing with the reality of their lack of preparation. Teach children to act rightly for the right reasons.
I have a friend, Mick, who says that as a kid he used to tell his godfather every time he achieved something noteworthy, which, in Mick's case, was a lot or noteworthiness. When he graduated law school magna cum laude and sent his graduation notice to his godfather, he received this gift, "Mick, achievement is its own reward." It is a great gift to want to do well, but it is a greater gift to learn to be happy with yourself. Then, you can take that well-being to others.
Setting your family apart for God is a commitment to teach the values that make us human. Consecration invites God into our families. In our spiritual life, there is only so much that we can do for ourselves. Consecration to the Holy Family is the recognition that we need God's help to be a family modeled after Jesus, Mary and Joseph.“O my God, I offer to you this day, all I think and do and pray, uniting it with what was done on earth by Jesus Christ your Son.”
O Lord Jesus, you lived in the home of Mary and Joseph in Nazareth. There you grew in age, wisdom and grace as you prepared to fulfill your mission as our Redeemer. We entrust our family to you.
O Blessed Mary, you are the Mother of our Savior. At Nazareth you cared for Jesus and nurtured him in the peace and joy of your home. We entrust our family to you.
O Saint Joseph, you provided a secure and loving home for Jesus and Mary, and gave us a model of fatherhood while showing us the dignity of work. We entrust our family to you.
Holy Family, we consecrate ourselves and our family to you. May we be completely united in a love that is lasting, faithful and open to the gift of new life. Help us to grow in virtue, to forgive one another from our hearts, and to live in peace all our days. Keep us strong in faith, persevering in prayer, diligent in our work, and generous toward those in need. May our home, O Holy Family, truly become a domestic church where we reflect your example in our daily life. Amen. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us.