Going back to Childlike-ness

The main theme of today’s gospel delves deeper than what we would have initially thought of as children being closer and more endearing to the eyes of the Lord for they are welcome in the kingdom of God. The gospel actually talks to us and represents what God wants us to be. After growing-up and living in a fast-paced world, we now tend to be all- “mechanized” and cold, more of like being machines, obsessed with work and deadlines and in turn, we lose something. We lose the ability that is inherent to children. God wants us to hear His voice wanting us to be “child-like” rather than “childish” in our daily lives.

Let me share to you a story to further my point. When I went to a 5 day silent retreat last October, going back to basics really does help. Being adults, we tend to be cold and hard on a lot of things, thus losing that innate ability to feel wonder, that thirst to discover the world and feel all that it can offer. But most of all, we lose that ability to trust and love with innocence, without the judgmental doubts and questions.

But up there in Baguio, I once again became a child wonderfully marveling at God’s beautiful creation through nature, discovering once again one of His best masterpieces, which is me, myself. I also found a lot of endearing and loving friends in that retreat, and they are God’s presence to my life even until today. They were like my playground-mates or “kalaro” that I met while I had a good time.

By considering ourselves as children in front of God, we are able to feel wonder at His majesty, able to feel His love and mercy and His desire for us. And we as children of the Father, we as people of God can achieve this by as children do, loving without questions and living life happily no matter what, without the pre-conceived notions and doubts we have grown accustomed to asking.

Joseph Aaron Mercado is a senior taking up Communications Technology Management in the Ateneo de Manila University. He was also one of the participants of the 5-Day Silent Retreat last October in Mirador Jesuit Villa in Baguio.

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Gospel
18 January 2009
Feast of Sto. Niño
Mk 10:13–16

People were bringing their little children to him to have him touch them, and the disciples rebuked them for this.

When Jesus noticed it, he was very angry and said, “Let the children come to me and don’t stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and laying his hands on them, blessed them.