Jesus said and did many surprising, even revolutionary things, but this might be one of the most world-shaking. His call for us to be like children can, of course, prompt a great deal of fruitful meditation.
Is it a call to be open, trusting, curious?
To understand our dependence on the Father, to approach him aware of our need and with faith in his care for us?
All of this, yes! But even more, consider this historical nugget: Jesus was speaking in a world—not his Jewish world, certainly, but the broader pagan world—in which children were absolutely disposable and exploitable. To hold up a child—a child!—as a model of the spiritual life was unheard of. Absurd, even.
What words of Jesus have the power to challenge and shake my worldview, if I really listen?
"Lord Jesus Christ, your call to holiness extends to all in every state of life. Sanctify our lives - as married couples and as singles - that we may live as men and women who are consecrated to you. Make us leaven in a society that disdains life-long marriage fidelity, chastity, and living single for the Lord."
Amy thank you for your contributions to this site I always enjoy your comments and reflections. Living faith family I miss my 2nd graders. I volunteered at other Parishes but the don need me or they are doing on-line programs ugh. People are saying the world today is terrible BUT. Volunteers are coming together to help the people in the southeast USA and in Buffalo yester we raised 50,000 for the red cross in 2 hours. Please pray for those people recovery. And the souls in purgatory. Ken
Amen! So much food for thought in this reflection. Thank you, Amy.
"To be able to be open, trusting and curious." As a child I had these qualities. They are still within me, yet they have been watered down with time. Jesus help bring these qualities back to my heart. Amen!
Oh Amy, this is so thought provoking, to move us beyond the beautiful purity of the child, in all its wonder…to pursue the many things that Jesus offers us in challenging our views. Thank you for engaging us to see this in a broader and different way. One of the more challenging for me is seeing God in everyone. I think the community here has helped me with that, as well as seeing things from different perspectives, versus my own. Continued blessings for all the LFF of Angels. Amen.
Thank you so much!
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, as well as those in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, in addition to all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Thank you Amy. Jane words of wisdom yesterday. I take all the comments here as God speaking something to me. What does He want ME to hear and how can they help me change for the better. Thank you all for helping me to be a better child of God.
VickyG, so glad to hear from you. I enjoy your posts. Praying for your son and your family and all of our LFF and all those who need extra prayers this day. Blessed be God. Rita.
VickyG some things I will share Oh how precious time is! Blessed are those who know how to make use of it, because on the day of judgment, all will have to render or strict account of it to the supreme judge. Padre Pio's statement for today. Wisdom of the saints today is "The Lord is loving onto man, and swift to pardon, but slow to punish. Let no man, therefore despair of his own salvation" Saint Cyril of Jerusalem. Ken
Vicky, so great to hear from you and continued blessings sent your way. I am developing a talk right now where I am the “closer” of a four day meeting. I continue to think about how can I best be of service to my audience and make my talk engaging, yet memorable. I heard one person say, presentation without service is just performance. Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine. Amen. Happy Sunday Vicky.
World events continue to push us further from each other, yet the words and love of Jesus hold us together. Thank you Lord for giving us the faith of a child, enabling us to overcome the hate of the world. Continue to strengthen us with Your grace. Add our voices to all those who pray for peace. Amen
Amen!
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In God's economy, it is paradoxical :-) *** Matthew 10:39 (Matthew 16:25, Mark 8:35, Luke 17:33, John 12:25), "Whoever finds their life will lose it. Whoever loses their life because of Me will find it!" *** 2 Corinthians 6:9-10, "We are known, but people treat us as if we were unknown. We are dying, but we continue to live. We are beaten, but we are not killed. We are sad, but we are always full of joy. We are poor, but we make many people rich. We have nothing, but we own everything!" *** 2 Corinthians 12:10, "Because of how I suffered for Christ, I’m glad that I am weak. I am glad in hard times. I am glad when people say mean things about me. I am glad when things are difficult. And I am glad when people make me suffer. When I am weak, I am strong!" *** Philippians 3:7-8, "I (Paul) thought things like that were really something great. But now I consider them to be nothing because of Christ. Even more, I consider everything to be nothing compared to knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. To know Him is worth much more than anything else. Because of Him I have lost everything. But I consider all of it to be garbage so I can know Christ better!" *** Matthew 23:11, "The most important person among you will be your servant!" *** 1 Corinthians 3:18-19a, "Don’t fool yourselves. Suppose some of you think you are wise by the standards of the world. Then you should become “fools” so that you can become wise. The wisdom of this world is foolish in God’s eyes!" *** Matthew 19:30, "But many who are first will be last. And many who are last will be first!" ****** 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the things of this world that are common and looked down on. God chose things considered unimportant to do away with things considered important. So no one can boast to God!" Amen!!!