Good Friday started early for me. My 3 kids are all sick due to the changing weather and the swimming fellowships that we’ve had. At 2:30am, my little boy couldn’t breathe due to colds and my second daughter was wide awake due to fever. To add to the brouhaha, my first daughter was fighting for attention to just be beside dad and mom for comfort and security.
While trying to appease my son, I remembered how Mary followed Jesus until Calvary. As parents, we want to be present in our children’s lives every step of the way. We are always interested in their endeavours and activities…to be beside them in times of trials and joys. Often times, I ask the Lord to spare my children of any affliction as I see them go through pain, but reality sets in and reminds me that my children must also endure pain and sometimes even suffer. The character of Jesus enduring all the humiliation and pain in the world marked His courage and the forbearance of a strong and upright spirit. If only for these characteristics, I would also desire my children to grow fulfilling the will of the Father in their lives.
Crucial for me was Mary not just following Jesus, but also praying for Jesus. The mother in Mary nurtured Jesus in prayer to face the final days of His life on earth. The virtue of this act again strikes a chord in my heart to always pray for my children…to fervently pray for them to be stronger in times of adversity and pain. Preparing them spiritually to be courageous and confident with God the Father, makes my heart peaceful and made me realize that as a parent, our mission is to lead our children to our God. Now, as a father myself, I am called to mentor my children not just with my heart, but with the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the pierced Heart of Jesus witnessing God to the fullness of my life through the Spirit.
***Pictures were taken from the Holy Family Church in Capitolyo, Pasig City during the Holy Friday Procession.
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