Parents are the First Catechists
Anyone who has ever handled a knife understands that its blade must be kept sharp. If we allow the blade to dull, tarnish, rust or erode in any fashion, the knife is no longer a fully functional tool. Just like a knife, religious formation must be constantly honed. It too has the ability to be sharp and cut through the nonsense of today's worldly rhetoric that would destroy the soul if given the opportunity, but it too can tarnish, rust, dull and erode; therefore, it is imperative that our young people are given proper instruction so that they will be well formed and able members of the Christian community.
To be well formed in religious living, one must have a respectful understanding of holy religion and eventually grow to understand that one's life goal should be the imitation of Christ, but too often it is the expectation of families that the church catechists will instill this deep understanding in cooperation with the priests and religious. As a result of this skewed mindset, some families fail to come to the realization that they in fact are the first catechists of the child.
Much of what children learns is based on socialization, and part of this socialization is based on skills gained from living at home. A child's attitude, outlook on life, their overall behavior is many times based upbringing, so is it any surprise that when children live in an environment where religion is given the last place in considerations that a child will also imitate that in daily life? A child will often reflect the religious attitude which is held by the family, and it does matter whether or not both parents are attending Mass or not, or if they argue on Sundays whether to attend or not, or if they even attend at all. Then, after a period of disconnect from the church, or placing holy religion on the back burner, some parents because of tradition more than faith decide it's time for junior or the little miss to attend classes for First Communion. Sadly, when the child holds an attitude apathy towards the classes, or hasn't the respect for religion as he or she should, the parents took towards the catechist, but has any thought been given to the time of disconnect? Has any consideration been given to the instruction that they have given the child?
Moving on in time. There is a length of time between reception of First Communion and Confirmation, and how many times have children stagnated between that time. The parents have been sure to hone the child's skills in academics, sports and every other activity, but many times religion is neglected. Children once again enter religious instruction classes and are prepared to become full members of the Church, but this is really only the beginning of religious education, the foundation. Again, we could look at the church catechists, priest, religious, etc., but I ask what was the first set of catechists doing? Were they sharpening the child's skills, keeping the rust off, making sure that they do not become dull by the ways of the world, or did they help indoctrinate them further into worldliness?
At this point in time, the children are not really children anymore, but teenagers. We could actually call them young adults and many have received more training in the ways of the world than the ways of holiness and religious knowledge. Again, it is the job of the first catechists (the parents) to have ensured that the child has been brought up in the way of holy religion. There is little doubt that there can be deficiencies in religious instruction programs, but much of this can be countered if religious morals and values are taught and reinforced on a daily basis. If a person has been properly formed, they will continue to strive toward religious perfection, but if formation has been a haphazard occurrence, they will have a relaxed attitude towards church and the cycle will continue on.
Therefore, as parents, an idea should always exist that you are a religious educator and that what you teach your child will be manifest in their outlook on life. You are the first catechists of your children and give them tools to functions in a volatile world which would be happy to lead them down the paths of deception and sin. There is no denying that many programs within the church can fall short of desired goals for religious education, but if you are taking responsibility for your child, you will not have to worry about such thing unless they take your child down the road of modernism. Remember to take your role seriously because if you do not, there will be someone else down the road of life who will and you may not be happy with the outcome of your child's life.
On a closing note, remember that our battle is principalities and powers. Do not give your children a rusty blade to fight with that will shatter on the first blow and leave them defenseless, but give them tools. Give them what is necessary so that they may have:
To be well formed in religious living, one must have a respectful understanding of holy religion and eventually grow to understand that one's life goal should be the imitation of Christ, but too often it is the expectation of families that the church catechists will instill this deep understanding in cooperation with the priests and religious. As a result of this skewed mindset, some families fail to come to the realization that they in fact are the first catechists of the child.
Much of what children learns is based on socialization, and part of this socialization is based on skills gained from living at home. A child's attitude, outlook on life, their overall behavior is many times based upbringing, so is it any surprise that when children live in an environment where religion is given the last place in considerations that a child will also imitate that in daily life? A child will often reflect the religious attitude which is held by the family, and it does matter whether or not both parents are attending Mass or not, or if they argue on Sundays whether to attend or not, or if they even attend at all. Then, after a period of disconnect from the church, or placing holy religion on the back burner, some parents because of tradition more than faith decide it's time for junior or the little miss to attend classes for First Communion. Sadly, when the child holds an attitude apathy towards the classes, or hasn't the respect for religion as he or she should, the parents took towards the catechist, but has any thought been given to the time of disconnect? Has any consideration been given to the instruction that they have given the child?
Moving on in time. There is a length of time between reception of First Communion and Confirmation, and how many times have children stagnated between that time. The parents have been sure to hone the child's skills in academics, sports and every other activity, but many times religion is neglected. Children once again enter religious instruction classes and are prepared to become full members of the Church, but this is really only the beginning of religious education, the foundation. Again, we could look at the church catechists, priest, religious, etc., but I ask what was the first set of catechists doing? Were they sharpening the child's skills, keeping the rust off, making sure that they do not become dull by the ways of the world, or did they help indoctrinate them further into worldliness?
At this point in time, the children are not really children anymore, but teenagers. We could actually call them young adults and many have received more training in the ways of the world than the ways of holiness and religious knowledge. Again, it is the job of the first catechists (the parents) to have ensured that the child has been brought up in the way of holy religion. There is little doubt that there can be deficiencies in religious instruction programs, but much of this can be countered if religious morals and values are taught and reinforced on a daily basis. If a person has been properly formed, they will continue to strive toward religious perfection, but if formation has been a haphazard occurrence, they will have a relaxed attitude towards church and the cycle will continue on.
Therefore, as parents, an idea should always exist that you are a religious educator and that what you teach your child will be manifest in their outlook on life. You are the first catechists of your children and give them tools to functions in a volatile world which would be happy to lead them down the paths of deception and sin. There is no denying that many programs within the church can fall short of desired goals for religious education, but if you are taking responsibility for your child, you will not have to worry about such thing unless they take your child down the road of modernism. Remember to take your role seriously because if you do not, there will be someone else down the road of life who will and you may not be happy with the outcome of your child's life.
On a closing note, remember that our battle is principalities and powers. Do not give your children a rusty blade to fight with that will shatter on the first blow and leave them defenseless, but give them tools. Give them what is necessary so that they may have:
"the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. 13 Therefore, take unto you the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day and to stand in all things perfect. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth and having on the breastplate of justice: 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. 16 In all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. 17 And take unto you the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God)." (Ephesians 6:11-17)
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