Young people are a gift from God. The Gospel of Matthew demonstrates the special place that young people have with God. It says: “Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these (Mat. 19:13-15).’”
Children contribute to the good of the family. They bring love and vitality to their families, as well as grow in and share faith with their families. They also learn Christian discipleship from their parents and contribute to helping their parents grow in holiness through mutual affection, love and forgiveness (cf. CCC 2225-2229).
As children grow into youth and young adulthood, they grow in faith according to their various stages in life, and are called to share in Christ’s mission at each stage. In his Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit, Pope Francis states: “Filled with the love of Christ, young people are called to be witnesses of the Gospel wherever they find themselves, by the way they live (CV 175).”
We can look to the lives of young people as examples of what it means to rely on our parents for our basic needs. As children of God, we rely on the love and mercy of our heavenly father as we grow in holiness throughout our lives. In what ways is God a father to you?