True Importance
“For the most important person in the world – you!” Whenever I see an ad with a line like that in it, I feel like taking a gun to the TV or ripping out the page. What a terrible attitude to expose children to. Anyone living by that philosophy is condemning themselves to an unhappy, selfish life.
We are important…but as children of God. Made in God’s image, we are made to love and love is expressed as care. Image a community where everyone aimed at doing what was best for each other. Now you have some idea of the dance of love that goes on within God between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Many of you would have experienced a taste of that passion when your new born baby was first placed in your arms. The surge of care and responsibility towards this infant is a taste of true love.
The challenge as parents is to continue that love and care, day in and day out when you often don’t feel like it. But there is a greater challenge: to teach your child/ren to love and care in the simple daily tasks of family, school and community life. Rather than looking after ‘number one’ they need to learn to be like God and look after each other. Fostering habits of helpfulness will lay the foundation for true happiness. Small acts of daily service help them to grow into large-hearted people – true sons and daughters of God.
Loving God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you call us to join in your dance of love. Give us the wisdom to show our children how to truly love you and to care for each other. We ask this in Jesus’ name confident that you will hear us.
Sr Kym Harris osb