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When [Mary and
Joseph] had fulfilled all the prescriptions of
the law of
the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of
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The
boy Anakin Skywalker is the central consideration of
this session of the movie “Star Wars: Episode I–The Phantom
Menace.” Reference is made that the birth of Anakin
was similar to Jesus’ birth, and although there is no father
figure mentioned,
his mother gives him a strong early foundation. One is led to
believe that the Jedi knights will supply the strong
father influence, not unlike the father influence that Joseph showed
Jesus. How ever we view Anakin’s early
years, there can be a comparison made to the early years of
Jesus. Also, there is little doubt that Anakin’s
future will be affected by the type of upbringing that he receives.
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It is
axiomatic in
our
age that the role of parents in their children’s lives is of the
highest
importance. If the parents of a child
are responsible, showing that they are capable of providing education
and
direction to their children, the child will grow up well. In fact,
psychologists suggest that children
who grow up in a healthy environment will turn out to be
mentally healthy adults.
If anyone would have asked Joseph or Mary whether they felt that they had provided a “healthy environment” for Jesus, they probably would have said “no” because of the severe circumstances in which the family grew up. But the Scriptures attest that Joseph and Mary did provide a healthy environment when they finally could settle at home. What is interesting and capable of producing much discussion is a fact that all “Star Wars” enthusiasts know: later on in life, Anakin Skywalker does not turn out so well. But, there is every indication that it was not because of his early upbringing. It might be good for modern man and woman to spend some time in meditation on the idea of a “healthy environment.” It is always true that a healthy environment is extremely important in the scheme of life. Everyone in the family contributes to such an environment. Parents and children make up the environment in which children grow, and both have the obligation to make such an environment healthy if our world is to be healthy. |
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THOUGHT
How would you define a “healthy environment” in
which a family grows?
PRAYER Good and gracious God, the process of maturity is different
for each of
us because of the different circumstances of our families. Give
us the grace to always contribute
positively to our families. Be with us,
we pray.
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©2007
Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America |
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