Like children

Wednesday April 28, 2021

Like children

If you do not convert and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of God. Matthew 18.3

“The truth comes out of the mouths of children !" Thibault repeats this sentence, from the height of his... six years !

"But when it comes out of a mouth stuffed with a slice of Nutella, it's not pretty !" Retorts his grandma, amused.

Jesus, by his words put at the head, does he show himself impressed by the veracity of the children ? their generosity ? or their humility ? Hmmm ! I suggest three more plausible hypotheses :

First, even though he sometimes thinks he is so BIG, the child is weak and dependent. Left to himself, he would be doomed to death from birth. Likewise, man, so independent in nature, is called to realize his absolute dependence on the providence and grace of God.

Second, the child is a being attached to his parents, living on their love and loving them in return.

A joy ? “Daddy, look !", a sadness ? “Mamaaaaaaan !"

Human beings need harmony with their Creator, need to speak to him, to listen to him, to obey him. Living far from God is as abnormal for us as living without parents is for a child.

Finally, I see that the child likes to be told about the Gospel, and, in the proposed reading, Jesus is very severe towards those who trample on the young faith of a child, instead of helping him to find it. develop. Let that not be the case with any of our readers !

Claude Schneider

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Proposed reading : Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 18, verses 1 to 6.

18.1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said : Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven ?

18.2 Jesus called a little child and placed him in the midst of them

18.3 and said : Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like little children, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

18.4 Therefore whoever humbles himself like this little child shall be greatest in the kingdom of heaven,

18.5 and whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.

18.6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him to hang a millstone from his neck and throw him to the bottom of the sea.

Source (Live Today)