I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Mt.18:3,4
The disciples ask who is the greatest in God's Kingdom. Jesus turns their perspective on greatness upside down by calling a child and saying here is the greatest. Be like him if you wish to enter the kingdom of God.
We live in a celebrity culture where people are famous simply for being famous, where newsreaders become the news, where the rich/powerful/brainy/good looking are held up to emulate. It's exhausting and it's toxic. Jesus shakes his head and says we've got it all wrong, that we've got it upside down.
Children are weak, dependant, powerless. Interestingly they also tend to be more now-focussed, contented and happy. Sure they can have tantrums, but they don't stay there. They move on. Jesus isn't calling me to be childish. He's calling me to be childlike. There's the key to the Kingdom...
Jesus, I overthink, regret yesterday, worry about tomorrow. Help me become like a child and enjoy whatever today brings.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for me.
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