Good morning. In today’s readings we are reminded as parents that we have an obligation to instruct our children in choosing to do what is right. Yet, the readings go further than reminding us to teach right from wrong; we likewise are required to instruct our children to go beyond just choosing right from wrong. In the book of Leviticus we are instructed to go beyond just loving our brother, we are reminded that we likewise have a responsibility to disapprove of his actions, but to do so in a loving way (Lv 19: 17). And, in the Gospel for today Jesus reminds us that it will not just be a matter of accepting Him as our Savior, or merely obeying His commands, but that in the end we will be judged by the choices we make regarding the needs of others. He said, “What you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.” (Mt 25: 45) Throughout the readings for today we are reminded to respond to our brothers and sisters with love and compassion. As parents this requires going beyond just instructing our children to do right from wrong; it requires teaching them to make good choices which requires character. Character is all about making the right choices, and that can at times be difficult. This is where parental instruction goes beyond just teaching right from wrong. Fact is, most people know when they are about to cross the line between right and wrong, but it isn’t just the knowing what is right and wrong but it is also the desire to do good which in the end determines our choices. It is here where, as parents, we need to be about providing our children an understanding of why they should choose the right thing. Part of the problem in teaching our children to make good choices is that doing the right thing is not always convenient, or popular, and being right is not always easy. As in the reading from Leviticus, we are sometimes asked to lovingly disapprove other’s behavior, and this can be quite a challenge in a culture that emphasizes doing the politically correct thing. Making the right choices in a culture that seems at times to confuse right with wrong, that suggest all is relative, can be quite difficult which is why it is important that we teach our children that doing the right thing is more than a feeling, it is about knowing what is right or wrong and that there are things which are absolutely right and wrong. Make a great day!
Today we recall the good life, gifts, and works of Blessed Giacomo Cusmano.
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