Homework

Just as the homework that my children complete allows them to prepare for their later adult lives, so too does my “homework” from God allow me to prepare for Eternal Life.

The Young Christ as the Good SHepherd (Murillo)

Saint Paul the Apostle tells us, “Christ’s love is urging us.” (2 Corinthians 5:14).

And I have been thinking about what it means for Christ to love us – what it means for Christ to love me…

You see Christ’s love is a parent’s love.

I love my children as a parent – imperfectly and with lots of carelessness compared with the perfection of the Eternal Parent, God.  And as their loving parent, I try my best to do things that are good for my children.

For example, I have asked my children to ensure that they complete homework each night after school.  My children do not like this activity.  Mostly, they would prefer to watch television, play computer games, or play.  Instead, I ask them to do something boring and difficult and complete homework each night.  Now, my children at times complain that I am a mean parent who does not love then because I am ‘forcing” them to do their homework.  Sometimes I am required to force them to do this by restricting their access to television and computer games when it is homework-time.  In this way I can prevent them from becoming side-tracked.  And then, after they complete their homework, they can participate in various rewards.  For example, they could then watch television, play computer games or play.

Now, despite their protests, I stand firm with my intentions because I know that my children will need to be disciplined and strong to face the world and I believe that homework is a good way to help them to build discipline.  If a child can complete homework each night, then they would probably be able to maintain the necessary tasks to hold down and job and commit to their family, and I consider this a training exercise in life…

And I have been thinking about that as I have been thinking about my role as a child of God.

You see, God also asks me to complete my homework.  He does this by sending me suffering and asking me to endure it.  When I become distracted by worldly things, He sometimes takes those away from me – so that I am not distracted.  And when this happens, I complain vocally and loudly.  And THANK GOD, God perseveres for me…  Saint Josemaria wrote in “The Forge” at 362, “God is not removing you from your environment. He is not taking you away from the world, or from your condition in life, or from your noble human ambitions, or from your professional work... But He wants you to be a saint ‑‑ right there!”

And I have been thinking about that today.  For I spend such a great deal of time complaining about God and the “homework” He has set for me.  But just as the homework that my children complete allows them to prepare for their later adult lives, so too does my “homework” from God allow me to prepare for Eternal Life.

And today I give thanks for that Homework.  For without it I cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven…

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.