Jesus said to his disciples, "Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through whom they occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin."     

In the movie "The Boy In The Striped Pajamas," Bruno and Shmuel became friends even though the barbed wire of a concentration camp separated them. Bruno was the son of Ralf the commandant of the camp and Shmuel was one of the Jewish boys imprisoned there. Of course, because of their age, they had hardly any understanding of what was really happening around them. They became instant friends; they spoke of the love they had of their fathers; they played boyhood games; they offered each other forgiveness when it was needed. In their simplicity, they were caught up in the horror of what made the Holocaust the greatest evil in modern times. As they died, they clasped their hands in friendship even as they did not understand what was happening to them. The movie speaks to all of us. Tragedies happen because of misguided people and philosophies, and perhaps we can do something, even if it is small, to eradicate evil when we see it.

Jesus felt strongly about children. He wanted his followers to have the innocence displayed by them. He also knew how difficult it was for children to grow, considering the problems that adults might cause them. He knew that our young people have difficult things to learn in life and therefore they need strong guidance. If they are deprived of such guidance, he points out, the adult who deprives them is the greatest sinner.
 
The story of "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is a story of two children written with adults in mind. The world is a complex place, complex because adults make it that way. Adults are often influenced by power and money and pleasure to the point that they will do anything to have what they want. Often young people are caught in the web of tragedies that such human desires cause. The Holocaust was not only evil because of the insane desire for power that the Nazis craved; it was evil because of the horrors that it caused for people, especially children.

We must feel shame for what we have done, especially if we have hurt children in the process. Jesus reminds us of it when he exaggerates about the punishment that should be given to such adults. But the point is made. If we hurt children in any way, we are the greatest of sinners, and perhaps some type of restitution is necessary. We owe it to our young people to help them in every way that we can.

And there is another side to the burden of growing. That side concerns the young people themselves. Young people must be willing to accept the advice and the direction of competent concerned adults. If they are not open to their direction, their future lives may be scarred and perhaps even ruined.                   

THOUGHT
PRAYER

Good and gracious God, we know that our young people are vulnerable. Give us the grace to help us be people who show concern for the young people of our world and direct our young to be willing to listen and follow the advice of concerned adults. Be with us, we pray. 

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike

©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America