Like This Child

October 2, 2007

Memorial of the Guardian Angels

“Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” Zechariah 8:23

Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. Matthew 18:5

Piety

Jesus, give me the trust and dependence of a child so that I can fully rely upon You for what I need in life. Separate me from the desire for more material wealth and possessions. Let me prize the relationships I have in life and take the initiative to fulfill the mission you have sent me to pursue. Amen.

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/100207.shtml

Ever notice how children are not afraid to ask for what they want? If not, then I suggest that you bring a second-grade student to the grocery store. When you are ready to pay, check out in the aisle with all the candy displayed and see if you hear any of these expressions:

“Pul-leeze mom (or dad)?”

“It won’t spoil my dinner!”

“We can save it for later if we just buy it now.”

Children don’t have jobs and money so they fully rely upon their parents. At the youngest age, they are completely dependent upon and totally trust in their parents for everything. Even if they can’t convince you to buy them candy before dinner.

The children were curious about Jesus and flocked around Him. The disciples wanted to brush them off and get the children to go away. “Don’t bother the Teacher.”

Jesus used the example of the children and their trust and dependence on God to illustrate a point. He wants His disciples to show that same dependence on, and trust in respect to God.

In Matthew’s gospel today, the disciples are starting to take the initiative. They approached Jesus with their questions. Even though the disciples were still thinking in worldly terms asking “Who is the greatest?” Pleased with the initiative, Jesus still turned the tables on them with the example of the children.

In the famous fishing scene in John’s Gospel (John 21:5), Jesus even addresses His disciples as children – not as a put down but as a compliment.

Action

Are you ready to show some initiative in your mission? Do you turn to Jesus for guidance and counsel? Does the Holy Spirit speak to you and through you?

Are you a public example like the Jews were in the reading from Zechariah? People of every nationality wanted to go with them because of their relationship with God.

Think of the risk and initiative that the monks are taking in Burma/Myanmar. They are not afraid to ask for what they and the repressed people of their nation want. Peace and Freedom. As reported in The Independent newspaper: "We cannot turn back now. Whether it takes a month, a year or more, we will not stop." With his russet-red robes pulled around his knees, rocking back and forth on a low, wooden stool, the senior monk spoke quietly but determinedly.[1]

These holy men are vanishing under the weight of the military junta which ousted the democratic government 19 years ago. Despite the deaths and injuries, the monks continue to witness for human rights and peace.

Pray for peace and support the sanctions against the dictators in Burma/Myanmar that have been announced by the U.S. government and the European Union. You can sign an emergency petition to China's president Hu Jintao and the UN Security Council at Avaaz.org.

I just signed the petition calling on Burma's powerful ally China and the UN Security Council to step in and pressure Burma's rulers to stop the killing. The petition has over 200,000 signatures in a few days and is being advertised in newspapers around the world, delivered to the UN secretary-general, and broadcast to the Burmese people by radio. The sponsor is trying to get to 1 million signatures this week. Please sign below and tell others who you know.

Follow this story at Irrawaddy News, covering Burma and Southeast Asia.

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[1] http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article3015276.ece