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Editorial > Editorial Archive Buenos Aires, Sunday, August 10, 2003
Father Oscar Pezzarini |
Children's Day
In the Gospel Jesus shows us many times his love and his predilection for children.
... His Kingdom belongs to those who like the children have a clear look and a pure, simple heart, neither presumptuous nor proud.
On this Sunday we celebrate Children's Day. How many things we would reflect on this day...
In the Gospel Jesus shows us many times his love and his predilection for children, and He also shows us that they satisfy all the necessary requirements He demands to be a part of his kingdom: “unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven”, and another time He said: “Let the children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of God”.
By declaring that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to the children He first teaches us that children are not at all excluded from this kingdom and that, therefore, we need to pay great attention to their preparation and to guiding them to Him.
What He means is that His Kingdom belongs to those who like the children have a clear look and a pure and simple heart, neither presumptuous nor proud.
How much does all this tell us, and how do we adults need to examine our conscience not only thinking of our own life, but of the life we are propitiating for the children. How a society which demolishes values such as Family and which does not bring up life conditions according to a true family development which allows children to live according to each of their growth stages is causing children to lose their unaffectedness and their innocence before time, which does not allow them to enjoy play and a step by step growth, but which many times pushes them out to the street, begging, “working” as a means to get their food, often very bad food, which does not allow them to access an adequate education so they must get instruction at the “school of life”, when it would be normal for them to attend school, where besides from instruction they would learn to share with others, to be shaped as men and women who in the future will be the pillars of society.
What kind of World are we making our children live in?
What kind of World are we leaving them?
We should not look and blame others, thinking that the government, the school, or “others” should find a solution... We must ask “what can I do”, what is within my reach to help this child close to my side or that other which crosses my way, which I often judge just for his looks, without figuring out that maybe as a member of this society I had my share in giving him this “look” I censure today.
May God give that each one of us from his position will do something so the life of the children around us may be just a little more in accordance with what God had meant for them.
Father Oscar Pezzarini
General Commissioner of the Work of Don Orione in Argentina
Father Oscar Pezzarini makes us think with his reflections in "La Manga" the radio program of the Felices los Niños Foundation on Radio Rivadavia, Sundays from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m..
Little Cottolengo Don Orione 0800-333-6746 in Argentina or +54 (11) 4268-7722 from abroad.
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