Who Else Wants to See the Pope?

With a superhero cape on her shoulders, a mother of nine children, went on a trek to Washington, D.C. to see Pope Benedict XVI. She has no flying powers so she rented out a van. She is in no way related to Bruce Wayne of Batman so funds were limited. What compels a woman to bring her husband and nine children to drive 1000 miles to get a glimpse of the Pope?

The goal is to make an impression on the children, a statement of faith. At the end of the trip, the couple asked the children "Was the 8 hour trip worth it?"

Unanimously, the children cheered "Yes." All they know is it was a positive experience with indescribable feelings of serenity and unity. There was an absence of chaos even considering the lack of sleep and fatigue. Everyone was cooperative. Each kid treasured the 20 seconds when the Pope, in the Pope mobile, waved to them as he passed. He was two feet away from them. Each child felt blessed. Each child felt proud. Each child wished to see him again. The pope's visit encouraged a dialogue between the parents and the children. It was an opportune time to interact and talk about their faith. They listened intently as their parents talk at length to a stranger next to them about the different miracles in their lives. They realized that thousands of people felt thrilled to see the Pope and what he represents. They felt part of something greater.

The Papal Visit is Extraordinary

The papal visit is not an ordinary event. Millions of federal, state, church and personal funds were apportioned by D.C., New York, and America, the Archdiocese of Washington, and Catholic donors to make a success of the visit of Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope Benedict XVI came to America just like how the apostles of Jesus went to neighboring lands after Christ's death. Pope Benedict XVI travelled by plane and his Pope mobile while the apostles travelled by boat and feet. Yet, their message is the same. The time dimension is different.

Pope's Visit is to Give Hope

For many children in America today, the faith is still something abstract. It is part of their lives yet they cannot grasp it. They follow the lead of their parents as to how deep they will seek the truth. The rare breed of parents, who gather the children to daily family prayer or sit down and talk about scriptures for an hour regularly, is beginning to be a museum artifact. It takes a lot of effort for parents to even make a religious topic engaging. Where and when can parents find the time?

In most cases, the teaching of about one's faith is delegated to weekly Sunday school or Religious Education classes. In a short time, parents have in their midst "children-turned-to-adults" with nothing solid to hang on. Parents are breeding shallow persons incapable of continuing the mission of Christ.

It is challenging to keep the attention of the youth to God. The children and teenagers sit with their parents and siblings in Church pews but their minds are elsewhere. Parents fool themselves in believing that their children absorb the teachings of the Church every Sunday. It just isn't so. What come out of Church buildings every Sunday are lukewarm children. The youth has no passion for Christ.

Youth directors find creative ways to attract the teens to their Faith. Many are unsuccessful. Igniting the fire from the youth must come from all sides and around them. The core of that fire must be from within the family.

The Challenge to Families

Many of our youth today may never see the Light of Christ. Their hearts are transformed on society's materialistic mold. Parents must constantly search for ways to fire up their children's heart. The flames within is best described as an intense desire to do God's will. Why is this so important?

It is because our existence on earth is just passing. Our destiny is not death. Didn't we believe that Christ died and rose from the dead? The essence of our faith is eternal life. Thus, the role of parents is not only to provide for the physical needs of the children. Or parents must not be bogged down on solving their children's imperfections. The ultimate role of parents is to lead the souls of their children to God.

The Essence of Pope's Visit to America

To lead the souls of children to God requires a hands-on approach. It cannot just be something scriptural for the children of today are apathetic to the written word. Parents must make the teachings of Christ real and tangible for children.

We have our faith today because Jesus inspired His apostles to venture out of their comfort zones to spread the gospel by word of mouth, deeds and traditions. Being mortals, they died in the process but the faith lives on because each generation carries a Vicar, a torch holder of the Light. He symbolizes how Jesus had to shepherd His people to the Truth. Like any shepherd, the Pope must give hope to those that are soon to be lost. The Pope must remind his flock that our faith can be traced back to Jesus. And Jesus came to earth to save God's people.

Conclusion

The essence of the papal visit for families is to remind parents of their critical role. The role is to shepherd the sheep entrusted to them. Do whatever it takes to lead your children's souls to God. Do not let even one sheep go astray. Give them hope in their long journey. Create in their young minds impressions that can be embedded in their minds. Impart a concrete reminder that when their faith wavers, they can hold on to these memories.

"When I was 17, I saw the Pope. He wore a white, long, pristine robe with a stunning crucifix on his chest. He waved at me and the crowd from the Pope mobile. I felt in high spirits listening to the cheers surrounding me. I felt peace. I felt proud. For some reason, I could not forget that moment. ", narrated by the mother of 9 when asked for her compelling reason for the trip to D.C. to see the Pope. Then, she turned to her children and said, " C'mon my children, it is your turn. Who else wants to see the Pope?"