Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
In the Stephen Sondheim fairytale musical Into the Woods, a witch sings the song "Children will Listen" to a baker holding his infant son:
Careful the things you say
Children will listen
Careful the things you do
Children will see and learn
Children may not obey,
but children will listen
Children will look to you
for which way to turn
To learn what to be
Careful before you say
"Listen to me"
Children will listen
Father James Wallace brings home the song’s message. Children do listen and see and learn—from us! Frightening, when we think about it.
This week is the second week of faith formation at Nativity. Here’s the message: Faith formation is disciple preparation. What does this mean, Faith formation is disciple preparation?
Jesus tells us what disciples do. “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34). That’s what disciples do; that is what faith formation is for. A word about each part.
Deny yourself.
Our culture tells us, Indulge yourself. Get the latest iPhone. Fire off self-righteous tweets about those politicians. Don’t worry about the facts, it’s the principle that matters. Dominate, accumulate, manipulate. Indulge yourself.
Jesus says, No. Deny yourself. Period.
To make his point, he sat down, took a child, and placed his arms around it. Children in Jesus’ day, along with the widow, orphan and immigrant, were nobodies. One third of children died before age six, another third before age sixteen. In Jesus’ day, you did not get attached to children.
His point was not that a Christian must work in a childcare center. The point was to put someone weaker than yourself in the center.
Jesus measured greatness not in terms of achievement for oneself, but in terms of achievement for the weak and vulnerable. In word and action Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to be great must serve the least!” (Mark 9:35-37). Deny yourself.
Faith formation is disciple preparation. “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.” That is what Jesus said. Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus. That is what we are supposed to say to our children.
Next Flocknote email, I’ll say a word about “take up your cross” and what might happen if our children listen.
In Christ,
Father David
FIATH FORMATION
Don’t miss out on Faith Formation for your family. Find out more on our website or by calling the parish office at (407) 322 - 3961
THAT MAN IS YOU
Faith Formation for men is here! Men of the parish meet at the crack of dark on Thursday mornings for breakfast, That Man Is You video series, and reflection on their faith. Call Don Grannan at (407) 670 - 4080 for more information.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Faith Formation for Men, Part 2. The Father Richard J. Lyons Council #5357 Knights of Columbus are involved in service to the community, charitable, religious, family, and fraternal activities. Become a member of the largest charitable lay organization in the Catholic Church. Learn more on their website.
BULLETIN
For everything else happening in the parish this week, check out the bulletin online.
