Summer vacations are over and schools have reopened. Children have started their next academic year. Moral education and knowledge of God should go with their their academic studies. The children should know about the love of God. They should learn to love others and live an amicable life. The parents and others should lead the children to the love of God.
Children are the greatest gift of God entrusted to their care. They are not products of a mere passion play. They are the fruits of love and should be taught to love God and others.
Children in the time of Jesus
In the Mediterranean culture during the first century, children were considered as “little things” and only as a part of their property. In the patriarchal culture children were property of their fathers. They were not welcome in public places. They were not allowed to go near Jesus who was teaching and preaching. That is why the disciples chased them away. But Jesus asked them not to stop their approach. Rather, he valued them very much and told his disciples and others to bring children to him because the children are the real owners of his Father’s kingdom.
The children are the inheritors of the kingdom of God
Jesus has always shown a great love towards children. He insists that the Kingdom of God is the inheritance of children and those who have the innocent hearts of children. He has always marvelled at the mystery of life that begins full of hope and discovers the likeness of the Father in every unknown child. He tells us to have the hope of love that children have. He shows how children receive the gifts of God with simplicity and wonder. He asks everyone to bring the children to him to taste real love.
“Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people; but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:13-14)
Where are our children today?
Just think of modern children. Where are they? Why do they grow frustrated in life? Why most of the growing generations are deviated from normal life and do for drugs and violence? Why is the teen suicide number increasing day by day?
Love of God is the beginning of wisdom. Children go astray because of their lacking in love and faith. Faith comes only from true love. Parents should sow the seed of faith in children.
The mustard seed of faith the parents sown in the hearts of their children can grow into a big tree which Jesus mentioned.
Accountability of parents and teachers in leading their children towards a life of love
It is the duty of the parents to lead the children to God. The parents have an accountability of showing love towards their children and leading them towards the love of God and others.
Teach and bring them up in love
Children who are brought up in the atmosphere of love, recognition and appreciation will have self-confidence and a zest for a life of love. They will be foremost in discerning the goodness in others and in recognizing and appreciating it. They can build up a future of hope. They can be the hope of future.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! TRUST JESUS NOW