Easter 3A
3 New Essays Every Week
Family and Children
Easter 3A
Family and Children, Sunday Readings, Catholic
Family and Children, Sunday Readings, Catholic
Family and Children, Sunday Readings, Catholic
Family and Children, Sunday Readings, Catholic
Family and Children, Sunday Readings, Catholic
Bringing Jesus into sharp focus in the lives of those we care about
Luke 24:13-35 is more commonly known as the Road to Emmaus story where two disciples were walking to a village called Emmaus when Jesus mysteriously joined them, asked them what they were discussing, and then explains the scriptures that pointed towards Him. The two disciples were amazed and invited Jesus to stay with them. During the breaking of bread, Jesus’ identity is revealed to them, and He vanishes from their sight.
This story has a lot to teach about family and children. Family, after all, is not just made up of blood relations—it includes those we walk with on the journey of life. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus had each other and they had Jesus, although they didn’t initially recognize Him.
Children are also a significant aspect of the story. It’s not difficult to imagine children running ahead of the disciples, shrieking in delight as they raced on ahead. Or perhaps some of the disciples had wives and babies waiting for them at home in Emmaus. Whatever their situation, it’s clear that family and children were an essential part of their lives.
The story of the Road to Emmaus teaches us that family can help us recognize Christ. The two disciples were walking together when Jesus appeared to them. They were talking about their recent loss when He joined them. They found comfort in each other’s companionship, which allowed them to be open to Jesus’ teachings.
This reminds us of the importance of family—not only in times of grief, but also in all aspects of life. Whether it’s sharing meals together, attending church, or just spending quality time together, family members can help each other stay connected to Christ. God created us to live in community and to support one another, and this is particularly important for children.
Another lesson we can learn from this story is the importance of hospitality. Jesus wasn’t initially recognized by the disciples, but He was welcomed into their home. They shared their food with Him, and it was during the breaking of bread that Jesus revealed Himself to them.
Teaching our children the value of hospitality is an essential aspect of Christian parenting. It’s an expression of kindness and love that can touch the lives of others. Whether it’s inviting someone to your dinner table or offering a simple gesture of generosity, hospitality is an act of service that can draw people to Christ.
Parents can teach this by including children in acts of hospitality. Inviting a friend, a neighbor, or someone in need to their home for dinner teaches children empathy and generosity. Engaging children in the preparation of the meal or making homemade gifts as a gesture of welcome reinforces the importance of hospitality.
Finally, the Road to Emmaus reminds us that it’s our responsibility to share the Good News with our children. The two disciples were privileged to be taught by Christ, yet they weren’t able to recognize Him initially. It was only when He broke bread they realized who He was.
It’s similar in the case of our children—we can teach them about Christ, but it’s ultimately up to each individual to open their eyes to His presence. Sharing our faith with our children in a kind, patient, and loving way is the best way to ensure that they can form and grow their own personal relationship with Christ.
Parents and guardians can help the children of the family recognize the presence of God in their lives. We can take time to pray with them and read the Bible with them. It’s not just about intellectual knowledge but rather rooting scriptural lessons in their everyday life through good deeds, instilling morals and changing beliefs.
In conclusion, the Road to Emmaus teaches us about the importance of family and children in our faith journey. The simple act of brotherhood on the trip to Emmaus sparked recognition of Christ, allowing the disciples to fix their eyes on the journey ahead. Through the sharing of meal and breaking of bread, Christ revealed his identity to them. It is from the mutual relationship of brotherhood forged from strong moral and faithful values, with hospitality and nurturing the word of God that the children in our families begin their own journey of faith. Let us never underestimate the power of companionship, in whatever form it may take. God walks among us, and the simple acts of love and presence we engage in can help to bring Him into sharp focus in the lives of those we care about.
Building a Family of Faith
Acts 2:22-33 is a powerful passage that speaks to the importance of family and children. The passage begins with Peter speaking to a gathered crowd, declaring that Jesus was a man sent by God as attested to by his miraculous work. Peter goes on to describe the crucifixion, the resurrection, and the ascension of Jesus, and then concludes with the declaration that Jesus has poured out the Holy Spirit upon his followers.
At its core, this passage is about the immense love and sacrifice that God has for all of his children. It is about how we are all part of God’s larger family and how we are called to act as members of that family.
For parents, this message is especially powerful. It reminds us that we have been given an immense responsibility to raise our children in the love of God. We are entrusted with bringing up our children to be strong, dedicated followers of Christ, and we must do everything we can to help them achieve that goal.
One of the most important things we can do for our children is to model the kind of unselfish love that Jesus demonstrated. We must be willing to sacrificially devote our lives to our families, putting their needs above our own. We must also be willing to teach our children about the remarkable compassion and love that Jesus showed us through his life and death.
But raising children in the love of God is about more than just teaching specific lessons or engaging in specific behaviors. It is about cultivating an environment where children can thrive and grow as individuals. This means providing them with structure, discipline, and consistency, but also giving them plenty of opportunities to explore the world around them.
As Christians, we are called to support one another as members of God’s larger family. This means lifting each other up, providing support in times of trouble, and celebrating each other’s victories. It also means modeling the kind of servant leadership that Jesus taught us, always putting the needs of others before our own.
For children, this message is also incredibly powerful. It reminds them that they are part of something much larger than themselves, that they are loved, and that they have a purpose in the world. It teaches them about the importance of community and the deep connections that we share as members of God’s family.
In addition to these overarching themes, there are also specific verses in Acts 2:22-33 that can be especially meaningful for families and children. For example, in verse 24, Peter declares that Jesus “freed [us] from the agony of death.” This message can be especially helpful for children who may struggle with fear or anxiety. It reminds them that although death is a natural part of life, it is not something to be feared because Jesus has already conquered it.
In verse 32, Peter declares that the Holy Spirit has been poured out upon Jesus’ followers, and that they are now witnesses to all that he has done. This message can be especially helpful for children who are struggling to find their place in the world. It reminds them that they have a purpose and a calling, and that they have been given the gifts and talents that they need to fulfill that calling.
Overall, Acts 2:22-33 is a powerful message for families and children alike. It reminds us all of the incredible love that God has for us, and of our responsibility to share that love with others. It teaches us about the importance of community, the blessing of family, and the deep connections that we share as members of God’s larger family.
As parents, we must take these lessons to heart, doing everything we can to raise our children in the love of God. We must teach them about the remarkable sacrifices that Jesus made for them, and we must encourage them to follow in his footsteps by living lives of compassion, kindness, and love.
As children, we must also take these lessons to heart, understanding that we are part of something much larger than ourselves. We must embrace the calling that God has given us and use our gifts and talents to make a positive impact in the world. We must also remember that we are deeply loved, and that we have the support and encouragement of a larger family who is always there for us when we need them.
In conclusion, Acts 2:22-33 reminds us all of the immense love that God has for us and of our responsibility to act as members of his larger family. It is a powerful message for families and children alike, providing guidance, support, and encouragement as we strive to live lives of love, compassion, and service to others.
Guiding our children on their own faith journey
1 Peter 1:17-21 is a passage that speaks to the importance of living a holy and obedient life. The passage emphasizes the need for Christians to conduct themselves with reverence during their time on earth because they have been brought into the family of God through the precious blood of Jesus. This family not only includes fellow believers but also children who are raised in a Christ-centered environment. This essay will explore how this passage relates to family and children, and what lessons can be learned from it.
Firstly, the passage emphasizes the need for Christians to conduct themselves with reverence because they have been redeemed through Christ’s precious blood. The word “redeemed” means that Christians have been delivered from the bondage of sin and death through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The price of this redemption was not paid with perishable things like gold or silver but with the precious blood of Christ, who was without blemish or defect. This means that our lives must reflect the holiness of Christ because we have been bought with a high price.
When we apply this concept to families, it is clear that parents have a responsibility to raise their children in a way that is reflective of Christ and His sacrifice. As children are taught to value the sacrifice that Christ made for them, they will be more likely to grow up with reverence for not only God but also other people. In this way, parents play a crucial role in shaping the world for the next generation by teaching children about the sacrifice of Christ as well as the importance of living a holy and obedient life.
Secondly, the passage teaches that Christians must conduct themselves in reverent fear because they will be judged by God without partiality. As Christians, we are not called to be perfect, but we are called to live a life that is pleasing to God. This means that we must give an account of ourselves before God, and we cannot depend on our own merits to justify ourselves. However, when parents teach children to live a holy and obedient life while shaping their character to be pleasing to God, they will be able to raise children who will also walk in the righteousness of Christ.
Thirdly, this passage highlights the fact that Christians have been chosen before the foundation of the world. In other words, Christians have been predestined to become a part of God’s family. This means that Christians did not choose to become a part of God’s family, but God chose them. This idea is crucial to families, as parents must understand that their children have been chosen by God to be a part of His family. Parents then have a responsibility to raise their children in such a way that they will accept that calling and continually walk in faith throughout their lives.
Finally, this passage shows that our faith is not based on human wisdom but on the power of God. This means that we cannot logically or even intellectually explain our faith to people who do not have faith in God. However, through the power of God and His Holy Spirit, we can experience a faith that transforms our lives and the lives of the people around us. Parents can pass on their faith to their children by keeping Christ at the center of their family, by serving in the church, and by building a home that is rooted in the principles and teachings of the Bible.
In conclusion, 1 Peter 1:17-21 is a powerful passage that speaks to the fundamental beliefs of Christians. It reminds us that we must live a life that is reflective of the sacrifice of Christ and the holiness of God, and that we will be judged accordingly. However, it also highlights the fact that Christians have been chosen by God to be a part of His family, and the power of God is behind our faith. As parents, it is our responsibility to raise our children in a way that focuses on these truths and to guide our children on their own faith journey. In doing so, we will create a family that is rooted in Christ and a legacy that will impact the world for generations to come.