Unless You Become Like Children
In this weeks Coracle; David Edwards speaks about a child like faith, Jane Coll talks about going round in circles and Fr James Anyaegbu helps us with quitting. Welcome!
A number of years ago, before I came to live in the Highlands, we had a missionary priest come to our parish to celebrate Mass. Although I don't now remember his name or the society he represented, I'll never forget the gist of the sermon he gave. The Gospel included Jesus saying to His disciples, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 18:3). I'd never really understood what Jesus had meant by this. It couldn't mean that we should be childish or immature as that would directly contradict the words the Holy Spirit guided St. Paul to write, "When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways." (1 Cor 13:11). So what did He mean?
The priest then explained how, when we are children, we have an absolute trust in our parents (and how tragic it is, especially in our days, when that trust is so often betrayed). We trusted our parents to feed us, clothe us, protect us, teach us and love us. We did so without even consciously thinking about it. At least that's how it was for me and that absolute trust is only something I am now aware of in retrospect. Well, that's the kind of trust we need to have in our Heavenly Father - the same trust we had in our parents as little children. A trust so absolute that we're almost unaware of it.
When I was a child I never worried about what I was to eat, drink or wear. My parents knew I needed these things and I was given them. Jesus says, "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well." (Matt 6:31-33)
So are we going to worry about worldly things like those who are "of the world"? Or are we going to become like children and put our trust, absolutely, in our Heavenly Father?
Going Round In Circles: Jane Coll, author and parishoner of St Joachims and St Annes in Caithness writes on a pilgrimage around Caithness.
Quitting: Fr James Anyaegbu (St Mary’s Beauly) in his own blog speaks about the power of quitting.
Living A Gospel Life: Reflect on rule no.4 of the Secular Francisicans: “Secular Franciscans should devote themselves especially to careful reading of the gospel, going from gospel to life and life to gospel.” How can we let this be apart of our own lives?
What you should know about Purgatory: Fr Mike Schmitz in a 7 minute video on the doctrine of Purgatory. See also this article for a more in depth study of Purgatory.
And Finally… The Thirsting, a Catholic rock band, celebrate St Michael the Archangel!
From St Therese of Lisieux:
God would never inspire me with desires which cannot be realized; so in spite of my littleness, I can hope to be a saint.
What is the end goal of our lives? To be saints. Let us then run the race as St Paul says, recieving as our reward, the crown of righteousness given to us by our Lord.
From Eric and the team - God Bless