Luke 10: 21-24
Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you
praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these
things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over
to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the
Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see
what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you
see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”
* * *
Introductory Prayer: Christ, I believe that you can put my
talents to good use. I hope that you will allow me to come to know you better
each day. I love you and trust that you are guiding me through life. Not only
are you guiding me in my life; you are also letting others be edified by my
example.
Petition: Lord,
help me to trust in you through every circumstance of life.
1. God
Reveals Himself to the Childlike: We long to know Christ better. How we
yearn to understand a little more about God and his infinite love! Our small
intellects can barely lay hold of any notion or attribute of the Divine
Persons. Even if we were to study long hours, we would come to the conclusion
that our learning is nothing. True knowledge of Christ and of God doesn’t come
by learning from books. True knowledge of Christ and of God is revealed to
those who learn to quiet their souls in prayer. We need to imitate the
resourceful little child who falls on the ground and then runs to his mother to
be scooped up in a loving embrace. If we can remember our littleness on one
hand and God’s pure, loving benevolence on the other, we’ll permit—even delight
in—his wiping away from our faces the blood and tears caused by our sins. Only
when we surrender ourselves into God’s forgiving, tender hands can we say that
we know him.
2. God
Chooses the Childlike: Christ singles out each one of us for a
particular mission in life. We might think of the many people around
us––educated, wise, learned people––who would surely be better suited for the
calling at hand, who could do a far better job than we could. However, Christ
isn’t looking always for the cleverest person, the one with the quickest wit,
or the one with the best education. Many times he scrutinizes the corners of
the globe for the soul that is innocent, open to his plan, and willing to carry
it out. Simplicity and humility are the key words when it comes to being chosen
by God to participate more actively in his plan of redemption.
3. The
Childlike Can Entrust the Bigger Picture to God: How many prophets and kings longed for
the time of Christ, when the work of salvation would be fulfilled! During their
time of waiting they left us an example of constancy and dedication to the
things of God, despite never seeing many of the things promised them. They
played an active role in leading and guiding the people of their time, but they
didn’t see the fulfillment of all God’s entire design. God asks us to be like
them, planting the seeds of redemption that may not sprout for years. We, like
the prophets, aren’t always given the grace to see the entire picture. That is
part of being childlike: trusting that God our Father knows what he is doing.
Cardinal John Henry Newman prayed in his famous poem, The Pillar of the Cloud:
“Keep thou my feet: I do not ask to see
the distant scene – one step enough for
me”.
Do I entrust the big picture of my life to
God my Father, or do I try to yank the “video control” from his loving hands?
Conversation
with Christ
Christ, I don’t ask for great understanding or knowledge. Help me to accept
with the simplicity and trust of a child all that you want to do in me. I don’t
ask for great insight into the depths of your divine attributes. I just want to
grow in friendship with you, and I know that means I need an unshakeable
confidence in your infinite love for me. I want to allow you to love me and
direct me according to your good will.
Resolution: I will open my
heart more widely to God’s plan for my life.