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Homily stories

14 Sep 2014 - Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Cycle A

Traveling recently with a friend who was accompanied by a very difficult teenager, I felt a bit like Moses in the desert with his band of tired and frustrated followers. On the one hand, I wanted to be sympathetic and understanding to the needs and challenges of the teenager; on the other hand, I wanted to say to this young person, who had nothing nice to say to anyone about anything, “Enough already! Show some respect.” It is not always easy to know when and where to draw limits on other people’s bad behavior, but we do need to set limits; otherwise, you are giving people license to overindulge in their emotions and wallow in self-pity, anger, and resentment. Child psychologist Dr. Joan Munson, in a recent article for EmpoweringParents.com, says, “Your child is craving for you to set limits because it makes them feel safe and helps them learn a sense of boundaries. Having limits given to them lets them know that you care enough to protect them with rules.” Yahweh, parent of us all, wasn’t afraid to set limits on bad behavior. We shouldn’t be either. The cross is the instrument of our salvation. Help the ones you love learn to bear theirs gracefully.

Authors Patrice J. Tuohy

parents limits

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Who's listening?

17 May 2009 - Sixth Sunday of Easter, Cycle B

In this Sunday’s reading from Acts, Peter’s mind and heart are opened when he stops putting limits on the power of God. In that moment (“while Peter was still speaking these things”) the Holy Spirit touched everyone within earshot. All who gather for worship this Sunday will suffer that same human tendency to want to limit what God can do, and probably more so, limit just who can know and appreciate God. The limits that we impose only serve to block God’s message from infusing the world. What limits do we put on God? Whom do we feel doesn’t deserve God’s grace? A class of people? Our own selves?

god's grace stop putting limits power of God

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Homily stories

14 Sep 2025 - Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Cycle C

Traveling recently with a friend who was accompanied by a very difficult teenager, I felt a bit like Moses in the desert with his band of tired and frustrated followers. On the one hand, I wanted to be sympathetic and understanding to the needs and challenges of the teenager; on the other hand, I wanted to say to this young person, who had nothing nice to say to anyone about anything, “Enough already! Show some respect.” It is not always easy to know when and where to draw limits on other people’s bad behavior, but we do need to set limits; otherwise, you are giving people license to overindulge in their emotions and wallow in self-pity, anger, and resentment. Child psychologist Dr. Joan Munson, in a recent article for EmpoweringParents.com, says, “Your child is craving for you to set limits because it makes them feel safe and helps them learn a sense of boundaries. Having limits given to them lets them know that you care enough to protect them with rules.” Yahweh, parent of us all, wasn’t afraid to set limits on bad behavior. We shouldn’t be either. The cross is the instrument of our salvation. Help the ones you love learn to bear theirs gracefully.

Authors Patrice J. Tuohy

limits Rules

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