Jesus reaffirms for us today a basic truth, that unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Even as adults we must never cease being childlike, uncomplicated and duly dependent. Children are not naturally complicated and deceitful. If my wife and I give our grand daughters a dessert, even though we should not have, they will tell their mom and dad as soon as they walk through their front door. They are so honest and innocent, which is why I get in trouble !
Children do hide behind masks. That’s something we learn over time as we stray from the simplicity of our youth. Little by little as we age, we begin to calculate, make excuses, ration out generosity, and slowly move away from that childlike trust in God. Therefore we must be sincere with our God and honest with ourselves if we are to please him above all things. We must nurture that trust we once had as a child.
Jesus wants nothing more than for us to know the Father. Knowledge of the Father is the only way to satisfy the deepest longing in the human heart which is for happiness, according to St. Thomas Aquinas. Jesus’ actions, his preaching, his sacrifices demonstrate that he wants to reveal the Father to everyone. He also chooses to need you and me to help him achieve that goal. So ask yourself, do I really want everyone to know the Father and reach heaven ? My actions will answer that question for me !
St. Joseph, pray for us !
DeColores, Deacon Doug
