To Be Like Children

By Mike Lambrecht

      Have you ever marveled at the innocence of young children? They speak their mind with brutal honesty. They have no malice towards others. You can put them in a room together with other children of any race and they will soon be friends with all. They exhibit such a humility and generosity. The gospel speaks of children in this way:

At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He [Jesus] called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.¹

Case in point. My father was recently handing out tootsie rolls to raise money for the Knights of Columbus to support children with special needs. While doing so he witnessed a little child (about 6 years old) walking up to the grocery store entrance with his dad. The son looked at my father and then turned and said to his dad, "I would like to give this man some money." His dad answered, "then go ahead." The child pulled out his small wallet and looked inside. Seeing only a single dollar, the child never hesitated but still reached in and put it in the can my father was holding. He began to walk away when my father asked him if he would like a tootsie roll. The boy took a tootsie roll and thanked him. My father told the child he can take a second one for his donation. The boy grinned widely and took another. The boy and his dad proceeded into the store. Some time later, the boy came out riding underneath the shopping cart with his dad pushing. The boy shouted to my father, "Thanks again for the tootsie rolls, mister."

Children are so innocent, so open, so honest, so holy. The book of Genesis tells us that we were all created good. Jesus tells us that we must all become like humble children to be considered great in the kingdom of heaven. Let us ask the Lord, our God, to help us to grow in our humility each and every day. Let us strive to receive the children that we meet, remembering always that when we do so, we are receiving Jesus Christ.

¹ Matthew 18:1-5