­­­­­­July 1.  13th week Year B/II.  Maureen often discussed with other grandmothers in their BBT club their desire for grandchildren.  “We have two sons, one is married, but after 6 years there still aren’t any grandchildren.  We dare not ask, but somehow I don’t think our adult children really value having children these days.” Patricia responded,  “But did we really think about it, or did we just accept and take it for granted and our husbands expected it too?”

 God tested Abraham and said, “Take your son, your only begotten son Isaac, whom you love and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering.  So Abraham rose early in the morning saddled his donkey and went. (Read the whole story in 22:1-19 ) God said to Abraham, “because you have done this and have not withheld your son, I will indeed bless you and multiply your descendants as the stars.” 

Pope Francis:  If parents are in some sense the foundations of the home, children are like living stones of the family.   The word which appears most frequently in the Old Testament after the name of God (YHWH) is “child.” Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.   He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. This reflect the culture of an ancient society yet children are a sign of the continuity of the family from generation to generation.  AL14