Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Bible Text: “Truly, I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of God”. Matthew 18. 1-14

There are lots of differences between a child and an adult. A child would spontaneously cry when he is hungry, hurting and things seem to be unpleasant but adults won’t act this way. A child never worries, he only enjoys playing but adult has always the tendency to worry that is why he is not enjoying life. A child would freely ask naive questions which sometimes hard to answer but an adult rely so much on his stock knowledge so seldom asks questions. A child never doubts his parents, what he knows is just to follow once he is told but adult has the tendency to disregard and disobey assuming that he might have the better idea to deal with a particular situation.

Jesus in the gospel is challenging His listeners, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. He wanted us to be children of God. We have to be spontaneous and honest in our prayer. We have to tell exactly our inner feelings and emotions to God. When we are hurting and committed something wrong against god, be courageous enough to tell Him. God wishes us to enjoy our life here on earth by relying totally in the providential care of the Father and always obedient to His will. We have to seek first the kingdom of God and the rest will be given unto us. Pope Francis reminds us; never get tired of asking God questions in life. When we are confused, the very person that we have to ask is no other than our Father because He has the words of wisdom. Jesus taught us that the will of His Father is the food that sustains Him. He never doubted the words of His Father but became submissive all the time.

The comparison between a child and an adult has no intention to demean adult which can be misinterpreted that children are better than adults. Jesus wanted us from adults to keep the attitudes of being a child because they are very ways and means to be in the kingdom of heaven. The more we imbibe these qualities the more we became matured children especially in our relationship with God.

Let us welcome this invitation of God from us like a child and be an inheritor of the kingdom of God!