The Faith of a Child
12/02/08 09:03 Filed in: Faith
“. . . thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes . . .” (Luke 10: 21-24)
In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us that we must be child-like in our faith in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
The good news in today's passage from Luke is that the “wise and understanding” of this world have no special claim on faith. We don't need an ivy league degree or a Phi Beta Kappa pin to enter heaven. We don't need a genius IQ to understand what Jesus is trying to reveal to us.
Jesus’ message was so simple He never bothered to write it down. His message was so elementary that we learned it in grade school. His message was so easy to express that any child can draw a crucifix.
In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us that we must be child-like in our faith in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
The good news in today's passage from Luke is that the “wise and understanding” of this world have no special claim on faith. We don't need an ivy league degree or a Phi Beta Kappa pin to enter heaven. We don't need a genius IQ to understand what Jesus is trying to reveal to us.
Jesus’ message was so simple He never bothered to write it down. His message was so elementary that we learned it in grade school. His message was so easy to express that any child can draw a crucifix.
“. . . thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes . . .” (Luke 10: 21-24)
In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us that we must be child-like in our faith in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
The good news in today's passage from Luke is that the “wise and understanding” of this world have no special claim on faith. We don't need an ivy league degree or a Phi Beta Kappa pin to enter heaven. We don't need a genius IQ to understand what Jesus is trying to reveal to us.
Jesus’ message was so simple He never bothered to write it down. His message was so elementary that we learned it in grade school. His message was so easy to express that any child can draw a crucifix.
Of course, life holds other lessons for us as well. Some of them are painful and difficult to absorb: a failed relationship, the loss of a job, a debilitating illness or the death of, a loved one. The tests we face can leave us feeling as helpless as a child.
Of all the things that differentiate a child from an adult, the most salient is a child's extraordinary capacity to grow and learn from each experience.
Each new challenge life throws at us is another opportunity for spiriitual growth. In some cases, we may experience spiritual growing pains. We may feel despondent, heart-sick, abandoned. We may not even want to get out of bed in the morning. We may find ourselves in the same situation as the little girl, who overslept and nearly missed Sunday Mass.
As she raced along, the little girl kept praying, "Lord, please don't let me be late. . . Lord, please don't let me be late." Suddenly, she stumbled and fell headlong to the ground. She picked herself up, dusted off her dress and started running again. But this time she prayed, "Lord, please don't shove me. I'm going as fast as I can."
Is there some way that Jesus may be nudging you to step out in faith today? Is there some way that He expects you to grow spiritually?
Every step of faith involves some risk. There is always the chance we'll stumble and fall. But, like that little girl, we can always pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and continue in the right direction.
In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us that we must be child-like in our faith in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
The good news in today's passage from Luke is that the “wise and understanding” of this world have no special claim on faith. We don't need an ivy league degree or a Phi Beta Kappa pin to enter heaven. We don't need a genius IQ to understand what Jesus is trying to reveal to us.
Jesus’ message was so simple He never bothered to write it down. His message was so elementary that we learned it in grade school. His message was so easy to express that any child can draw a crucifix.
Of course, life holds other lessons for us as well. Some of them are painful and difficult to absorb: a failed relationship, the loss of a job, a debilitating illness or the death of, a loved one. The tests we face can leave us feeling as helpless as a child.
Of all the things that differentiate a child from an adult, the most salient is a child's extraordinary capacity to grow and learn from each experience.
Each new challenge life throws at us is another opportunity for spiriitual growth. In some cases, we may experience spiritual growing pains. We may feel despondent, heart-sick, abandoned. We may not even want to get out of bed in the morning. We may find ourselves in the same situation as the little girl, who overslept and nearly missed Sunday Mass.
As she raced along, the little girl kept praying, "Lord, please don't let me be late. . . Lord, please don't let me be late." Suddenly, she stumbled and fell headlong to the ground. She picked herself up, dusted off her dress and started running again. But this time she prayed, "Lord, please don't shove me. I'm going as fast as I can."
Is there some way that Jesus may be nudging you to step out in faith today? Is there some way that He expects you to grow spiritually?
Every step of faith involves some risk. There is always the chance we'll stumble and fall. But, like that little girl, we can always pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and continue in the right direction.
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