PG - 13 Religion?

On Sunday, the homily included a topic that is relevant to teenagers and up, so I promptly passed out books from the "church" bag for all to look at. Thankfully, it has not been necessary to entertain questions on the topic.

We try to begin our school day with prayer and the church readings for the day. It helps us all to have God's word on our hearts and minds as well and assists in keeping focus at daily mass, when we are blessed to be able to go.

Yesterday's readings were from the thirteenth chapter of Daniel. As soon as my son began to read about Susannah, I said.. let's not do that reading today, we can read the Gospel now. Why, why.. why mom, why?? Okay.. the reading was about a woman who was taking a bath and two others were not allowing her to keep her modesty. (that is as much as I was willing to explain.) Okay, so far. Well, why couldn't we read about it? Well, because it was written in PG - 13 style. Oh, okay.

Phew. Got through that one. On to the Gospel. Now, it is the woman at the well about to be stoned to death for being caught in the act of committing adultery. I am not ready for this. Julian is only 8 and 1/2. His understanding of adultery remains in what he learned when studying the commandments. Do not commit adultery means that you only act like you are married to your own husband or wife, whichever the case may be.

I threw up my hands and did the only thing I could think of.. prepare for next Sunday's readings instead. The Passion readings. We read a bit and carried on with the rest of our lessons.

Lord, please grant us the wisdom to present only the information which our children need at the proper time. Allow them their precious innocence until their maturity can be congruent with their deposits of knowledge. In the name of Jesus, Amen. Blessed Mother, Pray for us. St. Maria Goretti, pray for us.