LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN

PRAYER MOMENT                      

Tuesday 12 August 2014

LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN

Pause. Be still in God’s presence.

Reading: “I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 18:1-14)

Reflection. There was a time when children were routinely given the name ‘Innocent’. Around a dozen popes took the name. But perhaps there is a slight embarrassment about the name today. Who, after all, is innocent? But it is a name that perhaps captures Jesus’ meaning. There is an age when children are most delightful. They are full of wonder and interest and ask endless questions. They have not learnt to hate or to bully. They are somehow poised in a balance before making choices. Soon the world, with all its nastiness, impinges on the child and he or she decides ‘this one is a friend, that one an enemy.’ And we can carry these dawning sentiments into adulthood with terrible consequences for ourselves and others. Jesus is appealing to us to take up that wonder and openness of childhood. We are called to break with the ‘survival mechanisms’ of making quick judgements about people and events and approach everyone and everything with an open mind and an open heart.  

      

Prayer. Lord Jesus, teach us the wonder and openness of children. Help us to welcome people and events with attention and hope. Amen

David Harold-Barry SJ