We as parents have an awesome responsibility to educate our children. It is important that we teach them the basics to build upon. There is a common saying about the foundation of all education are the 3 “r’s”: Reading, ‘Riting, and ‘Rithmetic. But I would argue there is a fourth that surpasses these three and it is Religion. God is the source of all things, so how strong is the foundation of your education if it is not based on that source? But if God is the basis, the beginning, the middle and the summit of all that we come to know and learn, how blessed is that life.
And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 3:2.
God is love; God is the source and summit of all our education. Without God, we have nothing.
Back to our responsibilities as parents. Who is the primary educator of your child? Your local school district? The Catholic Church? The University to which your child goes? None of those. You are. God gave you your children and you – YOU – are the primary educators of your child. It is your responsibility to educate your child – Reading, ‘Riting, ‘Rithmetic and RELIGION. From Matthew Chapter 18:1-6
1a At that time the disciples* approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”2 He called a child over, placed it in their midst,3 b and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,* you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.4 c Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.5* And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.
Temptations to Sin.6 d “Whoever causes one of these little ones* who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
And from the footnotes of this Chapter:
[18:3] Become like children: the child is held up as a model for the disciples not because of any supposed innocence of children but because of their complete dependence on, and trust in, their parents. So must the disciples be, in respect to God.
So again, I don’t know that I can stress enough the important responsibility that we have as parents to educate our children properly – reading, writing and arithmetic – but above all of these – Religion. Faith in God. Amen. Alleluia.
Do something great for our Lord today – be an example to your child and praise God’s Holy Name in all you do, all you say. Be that window thru which they see God.
I found this beautiful prayer online and will share it with you. I’ve “adapted” it so I can offer it up with my children in mind.
Act of Consecration to the Precious Blood
and the Blessed Virgin for Children
Blood of my Savior, a thousand times adorable! Blood a thousand times Precious! Thou, Which dost adorn the Baptismal innocence of children, deign to bless these young souls whom we consecrate to Thee this day. O sweet Jesus! hide beneath the vivifying waves of Thy Most Precious Blood thy children so that they may grow in grace and holiness all the days of their lives. Deign to look upon them as perpetual adorers of Thy Divine Blood in as far as the designs of Providence will permit and grant that all their prayers, deeds and sacrifices may be so many acts of reparation and love.
O Immaculate Virgin, ever spotless through the Blood of Jesus, thou who art called the “Flower of the Field” and the “Lily of the Valley,” look down lovingly from thy Heavenly throne upon our dear children; may they grow up also under thy maternal care, shielded by thy blessings, and may every day of their lives be marked by thy benefits.
Most Holy Virgin whom the Church calls “Morning Star,” shine upon their souls now commencing their earthly pilgrimage, preserve them from all harm, and until the last moment of their lives, may they keep pure and unsullied the robe with which, through the Blood of Jesus, they were robed in holy Baptism. Take their family also under thy protection, O Mary. Bless their pious parents, remove far from them every temporal or spiritual misfortune, and may peace, charity and all virtues dear to thy pure and holy heart dwell ever in their midst. Amen.
God’s will, not mine, be done.
Be not afraid; just have faith.
Jesus, I trust in You.
He must increase; I must decrease.
St. Mary Magdalen Men of God 