PARENTS: EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN IN VIRTUES
SO THEY COULD MAKE GOOD USE OF THEIR FREEDOM!
Dear brethren in Christ, VIRTUES, that is, stable good habits, are necessary if we are to make good use of our freedom, that is, we to choose what is morally good, and thus make one not only a good person but also enable us to live a holy life.
Holiness, which is nothing but the identification with Christ, is possible through God’s grace and the imitation of the virtues taught and lived by Our Lord Jesus Christ.
As human virtues (for example, humility, fortitude, justice, temperance, generosity, gratitude,sobriety, patience, sincerity, diligence, compassion, obedience, holy purity, prudence etc.) are acquired through the repetition of good actions, children need the good advice, good example, sound vigilance and encouragement from their parents so that these good habits become stable in them and enable them to make good choices and thus make good use of freedom.
On the other hand, supernatural virtues (faith, hope, charity) grow by frequenting the sources of divine grace (prayer, sacraments) and asking Our Lord for them.
If children are not educated in virtues, they will be slaves of their passion. VICES – stable bad habits – will root in their freedom which will lead them instead to choose what is morally evil.
Hence, parents should lead the way by striving to acquire these virtues daily for love of God and so as to teach their children not only to be better persons who make good use of the God-given gift of freedom but to be on the path towards holiness as well.
Have a great day and God bless! Fr. Rolly A.
SEE AS WELL:
FREE E-BOOK ON PARENTING, VIRTUE EDUCATION IN THE FAMILY AND ON RAISING CHILDREN FOR DOWNLOAD IN https://catholicsstrivingforholiness.com/2015/07/27/to-all-parents-free-e-book-on-parenting-virtue-education-in-the-family-and-on-raising-children-for-download/
MAN UP! TAME YOUR TEMPER.
CONQUER YOUR LAZINESS. STOP COMPLAINING in https://catholicsstrivingforholiness.com/2016/04/20/man-up-tame-your-temper-conquer-your-laziness-stop-complaining/
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS. CHRIST ON THE CROSS EXEMPLIFIES EVERY VIRTUE in https://catholicsstrivingforholiness.com/2016/01/28/1606/