Greetings Parents!
Explaining reality to children is difficult, even as they get older. The world - and supernatural - are complex and every event has multiple facets. How simple it looks to them - if person does a bad thing then he deserves whatever bad might happen. The reason for someone doing a bad thing is not always their concern - unless it is them caught doing something wrong...
They mature and start to recognize cause and effect and that black and white blur when one considers culpability. Then we battle the notion that "no one is guilty" because there can't be wrong if there are always extenuating circumstances, right? Hmm, not quite. There is objective right and wrong - taking a human life is never a good - life should be in God's hands. Protecting a life from a threat is a good, and killing for that cause is the lesser of two evils. An evil occurs, but is not the intent of the act - the intent is saving a life. It can seem like splitting hairs, but those hairs are important!
With ever-shorter attention spans, conveying the nuances of making the right choices in murky situations becomes even more difficult - such that some adults don't want to take the time to consider all facets of an argument either, but attach to the one that seems - or feels - like the one most obviously right - or right at some level. But we were not made for half-measures and lukewarm attempts to find truth. God gave us everything we need to be all in - and that includes His help if we'll seek and ask for it.
When my children give only halfheartedly to a task, it is sometimes more frustrating than when they completely refuse. At least the refusal usually has a solid argument against it. The lukewarm say they recognize they have a responsibility but don't care enough to do things right. They just want to get it out of the way with the least effort so they can avoid the guilt and get back to what is really important - which is absolutely (at that moment) not trying to do what the parent has asked.
So when I go lukewarm on God, expecting intervention but not giving more than cursory thought or prayer to Him, is He as hurt and frustrated with me as I am with my children? Is this why the saints say that the lukewarm souls are those that cause the most grief - they won't even try to care to know what He wants or to give it to Him? If I see Him today, will He say, "Thank you for caring enough to try for my sake," or will He say, "Am I just a paycheck to you?"
Hug your children tight and help them recognize the reality of right and wrong, love, devotion, and gratitude to God. It could have an eternal difference for you both!
-- Linda Bader, Coordinator of Religious Education
P.S. Did you know... The angels try to stir our hearts into curiosity, affection, and love for God to shake us from this world's complacency - even when it means letting us suffer? In suffering we turn to God and look for His action in our life. Their primary mission is to get us to heaven, without infringing on free will, so they will use whatever God permits to accomplish this. Be sure to thank your daily and constant companion for the happy and frustrating things they allowed that brought God closer to your thoughts.
