Highlights from Bishop Burbidge’s homily at an annual Mass for Homeschool Families in Gainesville, VA:
- In the Sacrament of Baptism, these are the words that are addressed to parents: You are to be the first teachers of your children in the ways of faith. May you always be the best of teachers.
- The Second Vatican Council says it particularly belongs to the Christian family, enriched by the sacrament of marriage, that children are to be taught knowledge of God, to worship God, and to love neighbor. Dear, parents, thank you for your faithfulness for your dedication and most especially at times I am sure for your perseverance, you may not always see the visible and immediate results that you want as homeschool teachers. But you can be assured that the seeds you are planting God will use miraculously.
- St. Paul VI, who was just canonized, said that of all of our human activities each day, our supreme act must be listening to God. Dear parents and students, I know your curriculum is very demanding, as it should be, because we want excellence in education, but I sure hope and pray that every day at the heart of the curriculum is that time to listen and to be still with the Lord.
- My young friends in Christ, please remember that God in the midst of all that you’re asked to do, all the decisions you have to make every day, he doesn’t want you to walk alone. That’s too dangerous. So, he puts special people in your life, your parents, trusted friends, counselors, others who love you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. They are God’s instruments to you.
