Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Recently I was able to attend a conference discussing children and their spirituality. The presenters offered many stories and experiences describing the great depth and awareness that children have regarding God. In many of my experiences both at work and in the parish, I have witnessed the openness that many children have to God and His Spirit within them.
At a recent Children’s Liturgy of the Word celebration here at Immaculate Conception Parish, the children and I were discussing how St. Peter changed from a person denying Jesus, to someone boldly telling everyone about Jesus and His message. One young boy commented that it was because God gets inside of our minds and changes it. In a simple way, this youth recognized that when we are open to God, He makes “His dwelling” in us, and can change not only our minds but our words and actions.
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus is attempting to share with His followers how both He and His Father have great love for each of them. The disciples are unsure of how they are supposed to know this love. They struggle to know how they are going to “keep Jesus words” and “observe his commands”. Jesus reassures them and says that “the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name- he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.” It is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that not only allows them to experience God’s presence with them, but allows them to go forth and share it with others.
St. Paul in the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles is an example of God’s Spirit at work. St. Paul, who had previously been persecuting followers of Jesus, is transformed into the”apostle of the gentiles”. The Holy Spirit not only changed his mind, but his heart and his life, and because of this transformation St. Paul was “proclaiming the Good News” and performing mighty deeds.
So why are children so much more “in tune” with their awareness of God and His Spirit? Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” During the conference on children’s spirituality, the speakers spoke about how children are open and trusting of God in their lives. As the child grows older, this increased perception of God’s life in and around them sometimes lessens because of the busyness of daily living. Things including material goods and technology, as well as negative peer pressure can push God out of the forefront. Although the Spirit does not leave, unless this Presence is nurtured it ceases to be a significant influence on daily life. This harried world often contributes to children becoming adults who live frantic lives completely unable to find God anywhere or any time.
How then do we return to the time when we readily sought and found God as a child? This requires work, since we need to actively choose to remove some of the busyness and noise of our lives. If we do not allow room, God cannot transform us. Spending time in prayer quietly listening to the voice of God allows us to increase our ability to find Him throughout our daily living.
Children are able to trust and believe in God’s love and presence even when you cannot prove it, and they do not allow the opinions or judgments of others to sway them from their views. This openness requires humility and a letting go of wanting to be right and to be in control. Surrendering to God’s Spirit is the path which allows the changes to begin. When we humbly, willingly, and openly receive what Jesus promises- His presence- His Holy Spirit- then just as St. Peter and St. Paul we can expect mind-changing, in fact, life- changing things to occur. When we become like children, then through His grace, we can be transformed. Jesus promises the “kingdom of heaven” for those who become like a child. This kingdom is not some faraway time and place, but the kingdom is the here and now when we allow the Spirit to fill our lives with His power.
Father, Your Son Jesus invites us to be like children so we can experience your abundant love and protection in our lives. Send down Your Spirit, so our minds, hearts and lives can be changed. May we share Your presence with the world, and may we always give you the glory. We pray this through Christ our LORD. Amen.
- Marylynn Herchline