Children as role models for adults

Bible verse:
"Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18: 1-5, 10, 12-14)

Inspiration:
On National Public Radio, Garrison Keillor begins every episode of the Prairie Home Companion by saying, "Well, it was a quiet week in Lake Woebegone..." Of course, there is never a quiet week in Keillor's fertile imagination. There is always something interesting happening, something that reminds us of our own childhood, something that pokes gentle fun at our grownup pretensions.

Keillor ends each show the same way, too, by saying, "Well, that's the news from Lake Woebegone where the women are strong, the men are good looking and all the children are above average."

God must chuckle to Himself on hearing that because He knows that we all harbor a desire to be strong, good looking and above average. We want to excel, to be good at something.

In today's Gospel, the disciples want to know who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Once again, Jesus surprises His followers by pointing to a humble child and saying this is who you must imitate.

"Unless you turn and become like humble children," He says, "you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."

If we could hit the rewind button on our family lives and watch our kids grow up all over again, we might get a clearer picture of why Jesus says children are the role models for adults.

To see an infant child, nestled in its mother's arms is to witness what it means to be totally trusting and and reliant on a higher power.

To watch children at play is to gain a keener appreciation of what it means to be carefree, to live in the moment and to make the most of every God-given day. The way kids ride their bikes, roller-blade, sleigh and test themselves in countless ways reminds us that we're all called to take leaps of faith from time to time.

To observe kids on a playground and notice how quickly they say "I'm sorry," and the way they forgive and forget is to discover a healing power within ourselves.

To observe their boundless curiosity and their willingness to embrace new ideas is to recall that the search for spiritual wisdom is a lifelong pursuit.

Children teach us to be caring and patient; to be good listeners and to to keep our promises. Above all, they teach us to practice what we preach.

We can learn a lot from our children.

Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.