That's what I've always said.
St. John of the Cross writes: "It is also vain to desire children, as some do in upsetting the whole world with their longing for them. For they do not know whether their children will be good and serve God, or whether the expected happiness will instead be sorrow, or the rest and comfort, trial and grief, or the honor, dishonor. And because of the children they might, as many do, offend God more. Christ says of these people, that they circle the earth and the sea in order to enrich their children, and they make them children of perdition twofold more than they themselves are. [Mt. 23:15] - Ascent, Bk. III, Ch. 17:4
"Desire not a brood of worthless children, nor rejoice in wicked offspring. Many though they be, exult not in them if they have not the fear of the Lord. Count not on their length of life, have no hope in their future. For one can be better than a thousand; rather die childless than have godless children." - Sirach 16: 1-3
"Better is childlessness with virtue..." - Wisdom 4:1
I tend to agree with you but then what are the consequences of this? I mean to say that this is precisely what the majority of Planned Parenthood and contraception disciples say. How should this idea play itself out? Does this mean that those people who shouldn't have children are called to be chaste single persons? Because they couldn't go into marriage with the idea of NOT having children.
ReplyDeleteI don't know. I just said some people should not be parents.
DeleteWell, we both know that to be true. I can surmise what makes you think this especially right now.
ReplyDelete"Better is childlessness with virtue."
ReplyDeleteGood for you.
Any vocation, including the single life, can be very selfish though.
One can bury one's talents in the sand rather than be generous in the service of life in any vocation. God gives the children, they're His. What if you have a brood of Holy children? -- more jewels in one's crown, I say.
Another post not about you. :)
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