25 February 2017 - little graces

[ Today's Readings ]

Limited days of life he gives him,
with power over all things else on earth.

We have a lofty and exulted vocation to be the rulers of creation, with hearts filled with wisdom, counsel, and understanding.  We are called to recognize that our dominion is not absolute but comes from God who gives to us limited days and makes us return to earth again. We are called to obey him who tells us to, "Avoid all evil".

Often we begin to imagine that the earth is our sphere to do with as we please. We recognize that God sets man over creation and no longer concern ourselves for his will for it. We imagine a spiritual and religious realm in which we interact with God (when it suits us) and a secular world where we are free to do whatever seems best to us.

Instead of this we need to become like children. This does not mean we eschew wisdom. It means that we constantly recognize that the source of our life is the Father who gives it to us. It does not mean that we don't grow. It means that we consciously grow as children of the Father who loves and guides us. Being little children enables us to fully receive all that the Father has for us. When we let ourselves be small and trust in him we do not keep anything back or in reserve.

"Let the children come to me; do not prevent them,
for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Amen, I say to you,
whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child
will not enter it."

Jesus wants to embrace us, to bless us, and to place his hands upon us. He will do it to the degree that we are small enough to open ourselves to it. Every time we find ourselves acting on our own apart from God let us receive grace to be small and embraced. He is always ready to welcome us back.

"Let the children come to me; do not prevent them,
for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Amen, I say to you,
whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child
will not enter it."