GENERATIONAL CURSE
Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13, 30-32; Psalm 51; Matthew 19:13-15
Do children bear any responsibility for the sins of their parents? Yes and no. Yes, following from the words of Exodus 20:5–6 “For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
On the other hand; no. How? Ezekiel 18 puts it clearly that God holds each individual responsible for his or her own sin. The Prophet Ezekiel says; “The word of the Lord came to me: ‘What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: “The parents eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge”? As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die” (Ezek 18:1-4).
To reconcile these two opposites, we have to take a compactibilist view. Parents’ sins could affect children who grow up watching the bad behaviour of their parents. Such children, more likely would be caught up by their backgrounds. Some children today learnt stealing, lies, fighting, vulgar words, smoking, drinking and indecency from their parents. Similarly, children with good parental examples would likely behave well in the society.
In science, the theory of epigenetics shows that behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way genes work. So, it is believed that, trauma can leave “molecular scars” on our DNA, and that those scars are passed down genetically even to the fourth generation. However, where there is change in behavior this sequence may change as well.
Again, the question of parents’ sins on their children sparks the theological investigation of generational curses. A generational curse is believed to be passed down from one generation to another due to rebellion against God or gods. However, Deut. 30 makes us to understand that these curses are tied to choices. Verse 19 says “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” Therefore, curses or blessings may have been laid but your life is largely dependent on the choice you make.
Thus, Ezekiel 18:20 says “The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.” To the question about the man born blind, Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned.” “He was born blind so that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 8:3).
Summarily, we should learn to accept responsibility for our own failures rather than blaming ancestors or those around us. In today’s gospel, Jesus welcomes children and blesses them and proclaims that the kingdom of heaven belongs to them and to those who are childlike. Beloved, by virtue of our baptism we are blessed not cursed, therefore, let us be responsible and positive minded.
LET US PRAY
Father, have mercy and forgive us. Grant us the knowledge of salvation and revive us again. Amen.
Fr Daniel Evbotokhai
