to the childlike... – Luke 10:21

My friend became very close to me because we’re of the same age group and the only males in our youth community. We fellowship a lot and one time while we were jogging, he just blurted out: “In the world, growth is attributed to adulthood. In Christian life it’s the other way around. In order to grow, you become more and more childlike.”

My friend was right. I believe that in heaven there will be a big signboard saying: “For children only; adults not allowed.” How is it to be childlike? First is Curiosity. Like a child we must never lose our sense of wonder and zeal to learn. Next is Humility. We should imitate children in Jewish families; although heirs to their fathers’ wealth, they’re willing to serve as fulltime servants. Next is Innocence. We should reject malice in our minds. Then, Lovingkindness. A teacher asked her class what lovingkindness meant.

A child answered, “When I’m hungry and you give me bread that’s kindness. But when you put jelly on it, that’s  lovingkindness.” Finally, Dependence. Healthy dependence on God and fellow Christians will ensure faith and cooperation.

Well my friend is now a monk and I am now a lay evangelist. You will never know where childlikeness can lead you. Obet C.

REFLECTION:

Where do I need to improve in being  childlike?

Niño Jesus, may we imitate You that we may grow in Holiness.  

Baruch 4:5-12.27-29

Baruch encourages the people to take heart and to trust that God will deliver them once again from their enemies. They have only to remember the way that God has never abandoned them in the past in order to draw strength and hope for the present and future. It is this foundation of faithfulness that Jesus will build upon when he proclaims the Gospel some 500 years later.

5 Fear not, my people! Remember, Israel, 6 You were sold to the nations not for your destruction; it was because you angered God that you were handed over to your foes. 7 For you provoked your Maker with sacrifices to demons, to no-gods; 8 you forsook the Eternal God who nourished you, and you grieved Jerusalem who fostered you. 9 She indeed saw coming upon you the anger of God; and she said: “Hear, you neighbors of Zion! God has brought great mourning upon me, 10 for I have seen the captivity that the Eternal God has brought upon my sons and daughters. 11 With joy I fostered them; but with mourning and lament I let them go. 12 Let no one gloat over me, a widow, bereft of many: For the sins of my children I am left desolate, because they turned from the law of God. 27 Fear not, my children; call out to God! He who brought this upon you will remember you. 28 As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God, turn now ten times the more to seek him; 29 for he who has brought disaster upon you will, in saving you, bring you back enduring joy.”

P S A L M

Psalm 69:33-35, 36-37

R: The Lord listens to the poor.

32 [33] “See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts be revived! 33 [34] For the LORD hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not. 34 [35] Let the heavens and the earth praise him, the seas and whatever moves in them!” (R) 35 [36] For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. They shall dwell in the land and own it, 36 [37] and the descendants of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall inhabit it. (R)

G O S P E L

Luke 10:17-24

Jesus reminds the disciples not to focus upon what they have been witness to as this was all the power of God at work through them. Rather, they should rejoice first that they have been welcomed into the Kingdom of God. It is this that will form the basis for the rest of their lives. The wonders they have experienced will be there sometimes and absent at others. They cannot build their faith life upon them! It is the truth that they have been reconciled with God that will underpin the rest of their lives. Let us rejoice in this and make God’s love for us our focal point.

17 The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said,“Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” 18 Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. 19 Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” 21 At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” 23 Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

 my reflections

think:

Let us make God’s love for us our focal point.

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God’s special verse/thought for me today________________

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T O D A Y ’ S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR  1 Maccabees 14-16 

The disciples return with great news of the achievement and successes of their mission. They rejoice and desire to share with Jesus all that has happened. Jesus listens to the fervent notions and in joy turns the praise to His father in heaven. The joy of Jesus is that the will of the Father is made manifest. This is of course what Jesus has been sent to do –to make known the Father. All that Jesus does is motivated by this — that the Father is made known among all men. The experience of the Father is to be found only through revelation. The greatest and fullest revelation is Jesus. He exclaims, “No one knows who the Son is except the Father and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him”. This revelation comes through the action of the Holy Spirit. The means of this revelation comes through those moments of meditation and reflection in prayer, study of scripture and spiritual reading. In the person, life and ministry of Jesus we see the manifestation of the Father. Jesus, the church teaches, is the selfdisclosure of the Father.

There are many things we can rejoice in. It is good to rejoice in our success. It is good to rejoice in achievements that have been accomplished. It is good to rejoice when we are given a promotion, when we find employment, when we have our career mapped out for us. We rejoice at many moments in family life when things are doing fine.

There are so many things we can be grateful for. It is often a very good and valuable exercise to examine our conscience at the end of a day. Review the day as it was and give God thanks for the many blessings that have been bestowed on you throughout the day. It is amazing how God will continue to bless us. Often the blessings go un-noticed because our lives can be so busy and active throughout the day.

Let us take up the attitude of Jesus in giving praise to the Father. We need not rejoice because demons submit to the name of Jesus but we rejoice because our names are written in heaven. We are a privileged people. The gift of faith has been entrusted to us and has with its own demands and responsibilities. We are to be like good stewards of the gifts that God has given to us.

How often do we take such gifts for granted? Salvation is intended for us. Jesus has come to lead us to the Father. We submit ourselves to Him who has loved us and washed away our sins with His blood. Fr. Brian Steele

REFLECTION QUESTION: Do I give praise to the Father in good times and in bad?

Lord I believe in You. Thank You for revealing Your self to me through the grace and mercy of Your Son, Jesus. Amen

St. Magnus, bishop, pray for us.