Parents and Children
Brethren, every time we always have something to learn from David. From today's first reading, we have two lessons we can learn concerning the relationship between members of the family. Firstly, is that children in their way of behaving should really be mindful of their parents and the second one is that parents should have unwavering and unending love of parents towards their children. The son of David Absalom turned against his father David, fought him and yesterday we saw David running for his life. Today, Absalom, as he is riding a mule becomes stuck with his head caught in the oak tree and is hanging between heaven and earth. Joab, one of David men, uses this chance to kill him and when the news reached David, he, instead of rejoicing that the enemy is killed, he mourns seriously for the loss of his son. David shows that his love for his son exceeds everything Absalom did for him.
A lesson for us children, it is the absolute truth that whatever bad behavior we get involved in hurt our parents too much, their love for us is always disregarded and not taken into consideration when we do this. Today many children have turned against their children, some disobey their orders and advice, some kill their parents, some take their parent's property, some, after becoming mature and rich, abandon their old parents, some children take their parents as if they don't exist, and many other bad things, just as we see Absalom did to David. Brethren, why are these things happening amongst us? Have we forgotten, that one who obeys his parents and respects them grows in wisdom and blessings, and is loved by God, because God used them to create you. Many curses, misfortunes, challenges and problems, who knows some are as the result of disregarding and disobeying our parents. The young Absalom lost his life because of that. It's a lesson for us today.
It's very important to note also that David's love for Absalom never faded and that's why see him mourning seriously after the death of Absalom. A saying always goes, blood is thicker than water. Parents let's love our children, they are our blood, no matter mad or criminal or any other thing our children may be, they remain our blood. Your mad child is far better than other graduand children who are not yours simply because the former is your blood. David teaches us this today and parents let's take it up. Never abandon your child for any reason as many have done so in acts like abandoning kids along the roads, leaving them near the church, refusing them food, not taking them to school not providing for them and others. We forget that children are a blessing from God and God will one day ask us of how we took care of the gift of children he gave us. Remember some are crying that they don't have children and you, you are there abandoning yours.
Children we must be able to keep our parents loving us because many are really crying because of their children. Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD), writes about The long-suffering of parents, in connection to today's Gospel and says:
"Let us, if it is pleasing to you, speak for a moment of the pains and anxieties which parents take upon themselves and endure in patience out of love and affection for their children. Here, surrounded by her family and by the sympathy and affection of her relations, a daughter lies upon her bed of suffering. She is fading in body. Her father's mind and spirit are worn with grief. She is suffering the inward pangs of her sickness. He, unwashed, unkempt, is absorbed wholly in sorrow. He suffers and endures before the eyes of the world. She is sinking into the quiet of death... Alas! why are children indifferent to these things! Why are they not mindful of them? Why are they not eager to make a return to their parents for them? But the love of parents goes on nevertheless; and whatever parents bestow upon their children, God, the parent of us all, will duly repay." (excerpt from SERMON 33.2).
The official Jairus who came to Jesus begging him to cure his daughter who was very sick shows us how to always care for our children most especially bringing them to Jesus and praying for them. This is our duty as parents and by this we fulfill our mission of taking care of our children.
Reflect today on this twofold teaching of today's readings concerning the relationship between the parents and children. May this teaching influence your family and change it to the better.
Let us Pray.
Lord Jesus, fill our families Lord with your fire of love so that no challenge will ever quench it. Grant this to us you who was the best child ever known on earth and who lived in a family. Amen
Be blessed.
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