Monday, December 03, 2007 Alipio: What do you owe your children? By Fr. Jose Alipio The Yoke
2 Kings 2:1, 6-14
THE prophet Elijah had chosen Elisha to be his successor. The younger man lived and traveled with the old man, receiving instruction in the ways of the Lord. Finally, the time came for Elijah to leave this world. He had done everything he could to train Elisha to carry on his work. Still, it was hard for the young man to let his mentor go. They continued walking together until they came to the place where the chariots of heaven would swing low to take Elijah to his heavenly home. Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's blessing and was given the promise that he would receive that blessing if he stayed with Elijah to the end. Good as his promise, as Elijah was leaving this world he left the mantle behind. The same rolled-up mantle that worked miracles for Elijah worked miracles for Elisha as well.
This story of the passing of the mantle from one generation to the next raises a question about what we owe our children. Obviously, many people believe they owe their children a legacy of wealth. One of the largest categories of the "new rich" in this country is people who have inherited their fortunes from their parents. But not everyone can leave a legacy of wealth to their children. Even those who can have not passed on their greatest legacy. We owe our children a good start in life -- good health, good education, and most important of all, good character. Children who have inherited these three things from their parents -- health, education and character -- are rich beyond all measure. They have been given treasures that mere money cannot buy and that social status cannot provide.
