(School Mass): Grandparents’ Day (Fri., Sept. 10, 2004)

It’s a special joy for us all to come together this afternoon to honor our grandparents. Now I think everybody knows that grandparents are your parents’ parents—your Mom’s mom and dad, and your Dad’s mom and dad.

If you are lucky enough to have grandparents who live close by and spend time with you, then you know how wonderful grandparents are.

In third grade one time, the children were asked to write an essay about a special person in their life. One 8-year-old decided to write about his grandma. This is what he wrote:

“A grandmother is a lady who has no children of her own, so she likes other people’s boys and girls. Grandmas don’t have anything to do except be there. If they take us for walks, they slow down past pretty leaves and caterpillars. They never say ‘Hurry up.’ Usually they are fat but not too fat to tie shoes. They wear glasses, and sometimes they can take their teeth out. They can answer questions like why dogs hate cats and why God isn’t married. They don’t talk like visitors do which is hard to understand. When they read to us, they don’t skip words or mind if it is the same story again. Everybody should try to have a grandma, especially if you don’t have TV, because grandmas are the only grownups who always have time.”

When I was a little boy, my grandparents were my favorite people in the whole world. I especially liked to be with my grandfather. I called him Papa. We would take long walks together. He taught me how to catch tadpoles—baby frogs—in the pond. We walked through the woods looking for the Seven Dwarfs. He told me funny stories and sang me happy songs. He loved to do crossword puzzles, and so he got me interested in learning new words. He was a coin collector, and he got me interested in that hobby, too—and taught me how to love history so I could learn about the kings and queens and presidents and countries stamped on the coins.

Papa also taught me a lot of things without ever using words. He showed me how to love people and treat them well, especially the family. He showed me how to be honest and truthful and responsible. He showed me how to turn to God in prayer. He taught me to see God’s beauty and love all around us.

And even though he didn’t live to see the day that I became a priest, maybe he did a lot to help me to become one! And I think that’s pretty special! And do you know that I never, ever say a Mass without praying for him. Maybe that’s just my little way to help pay him back.

I bet you have lots of stories like mine also. I hope you do.

Grandparents: a few thoughts for you, too:

You have a unique chance—an unbelievable opportunity, really—to influence several generations… because the example you give your grandchildren will stay with them throughout their lives and have an impact on how they relate to their own children and grandchildren. That’s pretty heady stuff!

Your special bond with your grandchildren lets you play so many wonderful roles! You can be a caretaker, storyteller, family historian, mentor, wizard, confidant, negotiator between child and parent, and even a model for your grandchild’s own old age! And when a child has a strong emotional tie to a grandparent, he enjoys a kind of immunity—he doesn’t have to perform for grandparents the way he must for his parents, peers and teachers. The love of grandparents comes with no strings attached.

And because of your special and unique relationship, you have an opportunity like no one else to lead your precious grandchildren to God.

Jesus told His disciples a story in the Gospel today that began this way: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?”

You are leading your grandchildren. If you are blind to the things of the faith, you will both fall into the pit! But if you are seeing, you will lead them with you to heaven. And that should be—must be—your goal.

Make sure your grandchildren learn the true faith. Not the “feel good” foolishness that says no more than God loves everybody and we’re all going to heaven some day—but the truth about choosing the good, avoiding evil, and knowing the difference. Teach them with your words, but even more by your examples.

Teach them how to pray.

Teach them to love the Church and the things of the Church—and why they should!—: the Mass, the Pope, the Bishop, the Priests and Sisters.

Teach them to go to Mass every Sunday… and to go often to confession.

Teach them to be proud to be Catholic and what that means.

In other words, share with them the wisdom that earned you your grey hairs and is now leading you to holiness.

That is why God entrusted grandchildren to you!

And children, ask your grandparents good questions. Say, “Grandma, tell me about Jesus.” Or “Grandpa, are the angels really real?” Ask them anything you want to know.

Boys and girls… dear grandparents… Jesus tells us today, “I chose you that you may go and bear fruit that will last.” Let us pray that His words will touch our heart and our spirit and always bring us closer to Him.

Amen! God bless you!