Like Children

In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees again try to test Jesus. This is a common theme throughout the Gospels; people trying to trap Jesus into saying something wrong. Jesus, per usual, recognizes the trap, corrects them and humbles them with the truth.

Jesus condemns their trap and explains that because of the “hardness of heart” of themselves and their ancestors, those laws were created. He also uses children as an example of those who are able to accept the kingdom of heaven.

It is not a coincidence that Jesus calls out their lack of openness, while explaining the openness children generally have. We have heard plenty of times that the ones who are like children have a better grasp of heaven. But why is that?

It’s often true that children have trust in those who love them. I, in my perfection, probably do not deserve the full trust of my children. Somehow, though, they still trust in me. If me, in my imperfection, can be fully trusted by my kids, why shouldn’t we trust our Father in Heaven fully? There is no doubt in my mind, that God deserves that trust and it is often through the hardness of our hearts that we don’t fully trust Him. We even, at times, try to test Him and His love.

​So, when Jesus exclaims that the children are the ones who fully grasp heaven, it is not a statement based on their naivete or lack of wordly experience, but rather, His statements are based on the love and trust children inherently have. Especially in the One who never lets us down. Let’s pray that we all experience and develop that full trust on God, especially in times when we cannot fully grasp it.

Let’s pray that we all experience and develop that full trust on God, especially
in times when we cannot fully grasp it.
I pray that through time with Him in prayer, liturgy and the Eucharist, we realize
that He is indeed the perfect and all-loving Father.
Let us embrace being like children and assume that identity of his children. 

God Bless,
​
Brett Becker
Youth and Young Adult Minister

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