Like a Child

May 24, 2008

Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

My brothers, if anyone among you should stray from the truth and someone bring him back, he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20

When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." Mark 10:14-15

Piety

The Lamb

By Robert Burns

Songs of Innocence

(http://www.gailgastfield.com/innocence/soi.html)

Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Gave thee life & bid thee feed,
By the stream & o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing, wooly, bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice?
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?

Little Lamb, I'll tell thee,
Little Lamb, I'll tell thee:
He is called by thy name,
For he calls himself a Lamb.
He is meek & he is mild;
He became a little child.
I a child & thou a lamb.
We are called by his name.
Little Lamb, God bless thee!
Little Lamb, God bless thee!

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/052408.shtml

Jesus says. “Come to me.”

Yet there are many obstacles in our way.

What tempts us presents a hurdle.

What lures us toward sin presents another.

How we get in each other’s way even still another.

We must become more like a child – and less like competitive, scheming adults – in order to enter into the Kingdom.

Jesus wants us to leap over all the hurdles we face and more. The Lord does not want us to be an obstacle for others. In fact, instead of making it harder for each other, God wants us to empower each other to follow Jesus. From the lowliest sinner to the least powerful child, it is our job to make sure that the sinner has a path toward righteousness. Jesus wants the innocent to come to him. He also wants the sinner to convert to innocence like a child.

God realizes that we are not able to do this alone. So he sent his Son as an innocent, powerless baby to clear the way. Now, God expects us to clear the way for others.

He promises that if we help our sisters and brothers return, then we too will save our soul at the same time.

Action

How do we to accept the Kingdom of God like a child?

Ever notice how a child accepts her or his birthday presents or Christmas presents? They tear into each gift with reckless abandon. Then, when all the gifts are opened, they fly from one gift to another because they are so happy with everything that they have received. Then, they run around the room with hugs for all the people who gave them a gift.

Ever notice how adults receive a gift? Sometimes they size up the wrapping. Then, they carefully unwrap it…making us think they will save the paper in a scrapbook somewhere. Sometimes they say how much they like it (publicly) but privately adults are not a cheerful “getter.”

Today, we are being encouraged to tear into the kingdom of God with similar passion…not to hold back our love, not to criticize others, not to say one think publicly and feel something else privately. Let us be poised to accept the gifts that come from God and pass those on to those around us.