There’s No Greater Honor Than This

“Every mother is like Moses. She does not enter the promised land. She prepares a world she will not see.”
Pope Paul VI

“Parents’ respect and affection are expressed by the care and attention they devote to bringing up their young children and providing for their physical and spiritual needs. As the children grow up, the same respect and devotion lead parents to educate them in the right use of their reason and freedom.”
CCC #2228

Raising children in the Catholic faith is our greatest contribution for the salvation of humanity. God chose YOU to raise His children and lead them to Himself. What an honor it is to be chosen for this great work. I call it an honor because, after the birth of the child, God doesn’t really need us (parents) to help sanctify a child’s soul.

Many saints were lifted into eternal holiness with limited help from parents including:

• Saint John Paul II, who lost his mother at the age of 9 and his father as a young adult
• St. Therese of Lisieux, who lost her mother at age 4
• St. Angela Merici, who lost both her parents at age 10

He shares this responsibility with us knowing how sinful and imperfect we are. Only God knows His reasons, but one thing I do know for sure is that my children help sanctify me. They test my patience, my love, and my inner strength. Every day I’m pushed to make choices, sometimes hard choices, to leave behind “my idea” of what life should look like, and see what’s in front of me with eyes of love, hope, and faith.

So let us persevere in love and prayer my brothers and sisters in Christ and, hopefully, we’ll get to see the fruit of our spiritual labor as we look down from heaven.

Pray daily, love gently, and nurture your Catholic faith.

Alexandra Kubebatu