A Child is Born

Why be like a child?

Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God is for those who are like children. Why?

I do not intend to answer the question; instead, let me offer a reflection on the invitation of the Lord that we should be childlike.

Let us take a simplistic look at the behavior of a child. I find three things very significant: their dependence on their parents, their capacity to forgive, and their sense of magic.

First, by instinct, children knew that without their parents or elders who would take care of them, they would not survive. The human baby is one of the most fragile and helpless in the world. Unlike animals whose offspring can already walk or run, the human baby cannot even open their eyes upon birth.

Second, their capacity to forgive. Children fight and quarrel, but they would also forgive. They often fought in the morning but became friends again in the afternoon. They do not harbor ill feelings or hatred unless their elders teach them.

Third, their sense of magic. Children do not yet have a strong sense of cause and effect. They are capable of believing in things we adults would easily dismissed as absurd. They have the capacity for wonder.

I think we can relate this to our spiritual life.

If we want to become "child-like," we need to become dependent on God knowing that without God we will not survive.

By learning once more to become forgiving diminishing hatred in our hearts so that we can be joyful and free in our relationships.

Lastly, to recover that sense of wonder, believing that miracles can happen in our lives. and that angels are real and that God rewards the good and punishes those who are evil.