I understood that those who encountered Jesus during His earthly life would praise Him in this way, but why now? This was a stumbling block for me. I would think if God really is all mighty, what could He possibly gain from my praise? Why does He need something from insignificant me? Or, on the flip side, I would think, God needs my praise because He is looking for a pat on the back. Then I would question all that I knew about humility and the heart of a God who had an ego.

Parents, here is where the rubber meets the road. Here is where your past, or maybe even your present, catches up to your role as a parent and your desire for them to walk a different path than you. When the two catch up, they either collide or fall in step with one another. You decide what happens.

Through Christ, we become a part of the story of Israel; we become adopted sons and daughters of God joining this sacred family; and we hear the words we ache for… you belong. It is through Christ Jesus that we understand who we are, where we have been, and where we are going.

Every day, in every space, we have the opportunity to affirm the dignity and worth of the people we encounter, but so many of us choose silence. If we are honest with ourselves, our silence has allowed the systematic destruction of human life in every community throughout the world.

This week, our Pray, Grow, & Serve walks with your children through the first two Stations of the Cross. We pray that you also invite your children into the Garden of Gethsemane and help them understand God’s desire for our reconciliation with His Sacred Heart.

Our goal is that each day will be an exercise in virtue and preparation for the personal and undeserving gift of Christ's Passion and Resurrection.

Stations of the Cross to pray as a family! These meditations are written to invite your child into Christ’s Passion.