I had just entered the chapel and begun my nightly rosary,
when the little children filed in --- the VERY little children. There were perhaps twenty-five or so, and two
adults. The children were, I would
guess, four or five years old.
As they entered, some walked across the room, passing in
front of the altar and monstrance there, focused on finding a good seat. Others found a chair and searched for
something to look at, a book to read, or perhaps pictures to look at, if they
could not read. And a goodly number of
the children knelt down, put their hands together, and stared at the altar,
praying. And two went face down, stretched
out on the floor before the altar --- obviously imitating a parent they had
seen pray in this way.
And all were totally silent.
After looking at their entry and positioning, I myself
looked up at the altar, and I wondered: “What
are You thinking of this display which just appeared before You?” And as if in answer to my silent question I
felt I could see God smiling: these were
His children.
After about 5 minutes, the adults stood up and without a
sound headed toward the doors, and the children seeing them, silently followed.
I reflected a bit on what I had seen. And after I thought about it, I surmised that
perhaps that this event images how God sees us all. Some of the children seemed deeply in wonder
and awe at His presence, some were trying to pray as best as they know how, and
some seemingly were unaware of His presence --- even though they were surely
told that He was there. That’s probably
the view God has of us, too, and how we treat Him.
But I had this perception when the kids were there that
regardless of the perfection of their love, He loved them all. In a way, at that moment I know I did too. I mean, they were kids, how could you not
love them?
And, I guess, relative to his great majesty --- and mercy
--- that’s how He feels about us.
That’s a good thing to remember, especially on those days
when we don’t feel that “love-able”. We’re
just His kids, His family. How could He
not love us?
Beautiful reflection! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comment, Julie. I hope all is well this beautiful Spring day with you and yours.
ReplyDeleteIf you glance at some of my recent posts you'll note that kids seem to be around me a lot lately, gathering, stopping by me, talking to me, hugging me. It's like I've suddenly had a big sign pasted on my head: This Guy Gives Out Popsicles! (I think that's how my neighbor's kids see me). It very good, but a little unusual also. I wonder what God is trying to tell me.
Tom, what an inspiration for me. Thanks for posting that. We can learn so much from the little children. It's such an encouragement to know that there are parents out there doing a great job..
ReplyDeleteAnd you know that I think YOU are an inspiration for me. I am so blessed that my parish is SO Catholic, as is the neighboring one where the above event took place; I do adoration nights at both parishes. The local parish has an elementary school, and my parish has large families, about 20% of which home school.
DeleteI pray you and Clinton are well, and perhaps getting out to enjoy some of the warmer weather. It's 77 here right now; I just returned from afternoon mass, and it is glorious out. I ventured out into the yard for the first time, and spent a few hours cleaning out the dead plants from last year ---- and I was beat! Could I be getting old??