Dearer Than our Eyes

She heard the priest say in his homily about Christ Who suffered for us: “no one who is weary can tell Christ: You do not understand me”. She drew close and whispered to me: “but He had no children”! We were, on one pew, participating in the service from the nave. Sometimes, children are (a source of) torment for their parents! I did not refrain from speaking. I reminded her, in a whisper as well: “are we not His wearisome children?”. I know the torment about which she is speaking. I have learned to deal with it. I have not become more eloquent, but rather I have acquired a conviction that we often place what we want of our children ahead of our delight in them. Today I have no word for the parents among you except: “rejoice in your children. Let each of them feel that he is your joy. Do not let their mistakes or what you want for them deter you from showing them that feeling. This is what our children need to grow in peace, to realize that in our eyes they are dearer than our eyes”!