RECEIVE THE KINGDOM OF GOD LIKE A CHILD.
“And they were bringing children to him, that he might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it he was indignant, and said to them, Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it (Mt 19:1 13-4)”
Our Lord reminds us of the importance to see ourselves as small children before God and to live as such. This attitude is called spiritual childhood., which is one of the many practical consequences of divine filiation, that is, we are children of God.
Why is spiritual childhood important? Jesus himself said: “for to such belongs the kingdom of God”.
- God wants us to reject presumption and a wrong sense of self-sufficiency in our dealings with Him. Rather, He wishes that we believe and have faith in Him as a little child has to his father.
God asks us to offer him small things for a child is not capable of doing anything more than that.
- Sometimes we want to do big things; we get tired of fighting all the time in the same small things, tired of our little sacrifices and of our everyday activity which may seem to be leading nowhere.
- We may even dream of doing great deeds, and end up forgetting the reality at hand, the true path of our holiness.
- We easily forget that we are small children, and that it is God who will do great things, so long as we faithfully persevere in the things we have to do. “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over little, I will set you over much (Mt 25:23).”
“Our way is very clear; it is the way of little things. Although we are strong, mature adults, our life is like that of a small child who is taken for a walk in the country – a scene you must have often witnessed. He picks one small flower after another. Since he is a child, he spots the tiny little flowers that the grown-ups don’t notice. He gathers them into a little bouquet which he offers to his mother, who smiles at him lovingly.
What I’m saying is true, my children. Before God our Father, you and I are tiny, helpless children. God asks you for the little hidden flower of your smile, or an act of charity, or a small sacrifice. He asks you to die a little each day, to make life more agreeable for your brother apostles
(St. Josemaria).”
Let us then embark on this simple and joyful path to which God leads us, the life of spiritual childhood, grateful as well that God is a loving Father who knows us so well, weak and capable only of doing small things, but at the same time, strong and omnipotent, when we see ourselves as small children who trust in our Father God who is all-powerful and almighty.
ORIGINAL PAINTING BY PARSON.