CHILDREN AND LITURGY - #5

We assume that our society considers children to be precious. We assume that laws are made to promote specific values regarding children. We assume that each family will watch out for their children, will make sure that they are safe. We expect that schools will be peaceful places where children learn. We trust that teachers will not only educate, but also inculcate a love of learning in the young. We hope that every business that hires teenagers will follow the law because that's what's right. In short, politicians and parents, teachers and business people are bearers of value and examples of virtue for children.

Our assumptions take on flesh in the world of commerce and social exchange. What viewpoint does a consumer society have of children? Todd David Whitmore and Tobias Winright point out three things that our consumer society says about children ("Children: An Undeveloped Theme in Catholic Thinking" in Maura A.Ryan and Todd Whitmore, eds. The Challenges of Global Stewardship. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame, 1997,161-185).

First, children are a burden. They are not economic assets for parents. When our country shifted from an agricultural to an industrial economy and child labor laws were enacted, children ceased being wage earners.

Second, children are an expense. Bearing and rearing children costs money. Parents should get a good return on their investment. They should get quality children.

Third, children are consumers. Parents and grandparents buy. They buy what the kids say they want. That's cool. A market-driven mentality promotes profits. It holds that a child's dignity and worth depend on the family's ability to buy. This is evident in television advertising for pre-school children. One executive put it this way. "By getting children to watch us at this age, we have them for life. That's exactly why we we're doing it." A video-games executive says the strategy is "to suck 'em in cheap. Then, as they get to higher and higher (game) levels, increase the rate per minute (p.178)."

Our Church contributes an alternative voice and offers another viewpoint.

First, every child is a gift. Every child has intrinsic worth. Every child is received from God in faith and is destined for eternal life with God. The education and formation of children aims to help them to be happy and to participate in the many communities they belong to.

Second, every child is lovable. Every child calls for our love in the form of present responsibility in stewardship. Every biological child is given to a parent in trust. This vocation requires great parental sacrifice. Every child who is not ours biologically is part of God's genealogy and requires our love and care. This community responsibility often calls for great parish sacrifice.

Third, every child is a sign of hope. Every child has potential and gifts. Every child offers praise and thanks to God. Every child voices a unique melody in the household of the Church. Each parish has the unique privilege of welcoming children into the world and of training them to be bearers of hope for the world.

Children stand tall in praise, stand firm in faith, stand steadfast in love. See how God smiles!