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“This is a special Sunday. We are pleased to officially welcome Father Gerry Bartholomew to the pulpit to deliver his first Sunday message to the congregation . . .”
Father Jon almost choked on his words. He’d been instructed to offer words of welcome to set the stage for Gerry’s first sermon. He was repulsed but did his job. Gerry sauntered to the pulpit, too cocky for Jon’s taste. Gerry raised his arms for quiet, and the congregation grew silent.
“Thank you, Father Jon, and thanks to all of you. I cherish my first opportunity to address you. I’d like to explain why I became a priest . . .” Gerry began.
“When I was young, I thought I’d finish school, grow up, go to college, get married, start a career, start and build a family. God chose another path for me, and I have never turned back or been sorry. I have a much larger family and many children whom I can help shape. Children are the Lord’s most precious creatures, and I humbly accept my role in shaping their hearts and minds. This vital work with children is the principal reason that I became a priest. Children represent our future, the future of any race or religion.
“Psalm 127:3 says, ‘Certainly sons are a gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb, a reward.’ In other words, God blesses people with children, and children are a blessing. The following verse 4 says, ‘Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons born in one’s youth.” As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.’ Again, the theme is that children are an asset and a blessing . . .
“In the Bible, God uses the simple but essential word children a remarkable 1,650 times. The term child is used another 190 times. Three of the Ten Commandments are devoted to sanctifying and safeguarding the family. It is safe to say that God loves children.
“How many parents enjoy the simple pleasure of watching their newborn child sleep? This is a profoundly boring activity, yet parents derive great delight from it. When you have your own baby, when the grumpiest among us observe the interaction of a small child with his or her parent—even the cranky heart becomes full of warmth.
“Children are amazing. All of us have a responsibility to treat them and handle them as blessings. As I gaze out at the congregation, I am pleased to see so many blessed children. You are, indeed, a blessing from God . . .
“It is easy to devote my ministry to children. Church doctrine precludes me from marrying. Priests are required to remain celibate. We will have no children of our own. Why? Because you are my family, your children are my children. The church endues the title of ‘Father’ on priests, and I am honored to be a ‘father’ to your children. I have wonderful, pleasurable activities and events planned for them. I enjoy sports, travel, camping, and preaching the gospel. Hopefully, I can provide spiritual guidance and enlightenment to your children as they grow from child to teenager to adult. I especially enjoy being a role model to teenagers, counseling them, advising them, shaping and molding young minds, attitudes, and sharing the wonders and experiences of life.
“As children grow into teenagers, I plan to be, if you will permit me, an important part of their lives. Leave them to my care. Trust them to my embrace. As your children are a blessing to you, they are a blessing to me.
“Today, I invite you to focus on important ways to treat our precious children. First, we must give them understanding. They are gifts from God, miniature replicas of each of you. You want to see yourself? Look for yourself in your children. Children are warm, and they bring warmth to us. They have the ability to make parents and grandparents melt in their hands. We feel that warmth when a baby reaches out with his or her little hand and touches our faces or looks into our eyes. We melt when they first say, ‘Mommy’ or ‘Daddy.’ When they’re young, they’re not ashamed to hug or kiss their parents. I am a firm believer in and practitioner of hugs, in physical love, physical displays of affection.” Gerry flushed with desire. The congregation could not detect this subtle hint of his sinister nature.
“Parents teach their children. These are blessings because children are tomorrow’s teachers. And so it goes, generation to generation. Most of us live simple lives. There are no statues erected in our honor. But many of us will have children, and they will carry on our name and our legacy. This is the special blessing of ancestry.
“Grow closer; express more love to one another. Children and parents must develop trust in each other, a consequence of which is to grow in love. We want our kids to seek our advice rather than getting it on the streets from those of dubious character. Many teenagers view the home or the church as a prison cell, with parents and priests serving as their guards. However, many of their problems would be solved if they became closer to God and the church.
“If understanding is not found in the family, the safest place that a child knows, where can it be located? In Corinthians 13:11, the apostle Paul says, ‘When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.’ If we want to reach our children, we must try to think as they do. We must put ourselves in their shoes.
“Second, we must communicate with our children. With both parents working in most twenty-first-century families, would you be surprised if I told you that moms spend less than an hour a day with their children and fathers less than a half-hour?
“Deuteronomy 4:7 says, ‘You shall teach them diligently unto your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up.’ Spend time with your children, talk about a quality life through spirituality. Parents and grandparents alike have a responsibility to teach children the principles of a quality life. Communication is an essential tool in exercising that responsibility.
“Here is a suggestion. Offer your children an hour a day of your time. Tell them that it is their time with you to do or say anything they want, go anywhere they want to go, play anything they want to play. And I will make you this promise—despite my busy schedule, any parent of any child who asks this of me; I will pledge an hour to you or your child. Parents and priests are busy. We are here, there, and everywhere, taking care of this crisis or that one. However, I urge you to make the one-hour pledge to your children and to honor the commitment. It is crucial they know you care, that you love them and will be there for them in times of need.
“Third, we must provide for our children. It is our responsibility as parents to provide a loving and happy home. It is most important to demonstrate relationships by example in a committed and happy marriage. In many ways, this example of commitment is even more important than the relationship between parent and child. We must provide food, clothing, and shelter, of course, but the atmosphere in which our children grow up is of the utmost importance. However, some marriages fall apart, even when husband and wife have the best of intentions going into them. If that fate falls upon you and your children, please call on me to counsel your sons, to guide them along the paths of righteousness and love, especially if this happens during their teenage years. Trust them to my loving care . . .” Would they? The parents must trust me.
“Fourth, we must set a good example for our children. In other words, we must not only talk the talk; we must walk the walk. If we expect our kids not to smoke, not to drink, and not to do drugs, we must refrain from those activities ourselves. Children will often do what they see others doing. What I would like to see is child after child deciding to seek the counsel of the Lord through private and privileged counsel with me.
“Finally, number five is to love your children. Show them genuine affection. Children need to be loved, cared for, felt, and touched. I am pleased to help in this endeavor, as I am a very hands-on person. I pledge, with all my soul, in all that I do, to love your children. And studies show that physical love is important, even in the first days after birth. Research indicates that female infants less than a year old receive five times more physical affection than boys of the same age. Is that why younger boys have far more emotional and psychiatric problems than younger girls? A child growing up with physical contact will be more comfortable with themselves and others. I promise, with all my heart, to shower your children with affection, to guide them to a greater good, through love, touch, feel, the church, and the grace of God.”
Jennifer Tracey attended church services that morning. She dropped the boys off at her sister’s house and arrived early. She wasn’t aware that Father Gerry would be delivering his first sermon. These last statements compelled her to leave. She didn’t understand why but knew she must. She rose and walked up the aisle toward the exit. Gerry paused and watched her go. Heads turned. The sermon seemed to come to an abrupt halt. Jennifer walked out the door, and it clicked closed behind her. Gerry struggled to understand her departure and promptly lost his composure. He continued, more tentatively, as Jennifer exited the church building.
“Okay . . . now . . . uh . . . I would like to address the children . . .” Why is she leaving? Was it something I said? Did the boys say something to her? Shit!
“For you to remain blessed . . . for you to . . . uh . . . continue to be a gift from God, I have three suggestions: Try to learn about God from your parents, the church, Father Jon, and me, and, most important, read your Bible. Remember that, according to scripture, Jesus learned of God at the age of twelve. You can learn of God as well. Be grateful to God and your parents for all the nice things that happen in your life. Tell those who do nice things for you, including your parents, how much you appreciate their kindness. Learn to say a simple thank you when people do nice things. Food does not miraculously appear on your table at mealtime. How did your bed get made and your clothes folded and put away? Have you ever thought of saying thank you to your mom for simple acts of kindness? Give thanks for the kindnesses extended to you and the things you receive. Count your blessings.” Gerry was finding a stronger voice, more control, following Jennifer’s abrupt exit. I can finish this.
“Be willing to experiment. Dare to try something different. Try to do things outside your comfort zone. I specialize in helping teenagers experience God’s love in unique ways, and I pledge to assist you in any way I can to achieve grace through love. I am here for you. I am a very valuable resource. Use me as often as you choose.
“Remember, dear family and friends, children are a blessing and the future leaders of our church, our community, our country, and our world. And they are the future leaders in the kingdom of God and heaven. Thank you, and God bless you and your precious children.”
