“Truly I say to you, unless you receive the Kingdom of God as a child, you shall not enter into it (Luke 18:17).”
I love watching the reflection of Easter in the eyes of my children. The purity of their love shines forth. Children have a unique relationship to God. Our Lord chose to enter the world as a helpless, innocent babe, and from the moment of the Incarnation, He became one of them, one of us. As we walk the outdoor Stations of the Cross, and listen to the Passion on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, our Lord’s suffering seems to resonate deeply with them. Their piety is genuine; their love is deep. Just as sorrow seems to carve a space within us, so too later that whittled space can brim with joy. Easter through the eyes of a child is a blessing to behold!
Today as we prepare for the great feast of Divine Mercy Sunday, we continue with the sixth day of the novena of chaplets, prayed with ordinary rosary beads. For complete instructions on how to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, visit the Divine Mercy website of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception at: http://thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/praythechaplet.php.
Today is also the sixth day of the novena dictated by Jesus to St. Maria Faustina. For each day of this novena, Our Lord requested that Sr. Faustina bring a different group of souls into the abyss of His mercy. Today Our Lord directed:
“Today bring to Me the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is capable of receiving My grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence (1220, p. 439 – Divine Mercy in My Soul, Congregation of Marians, 1987).”
For the complete text of the sixth day of the novena, please visit the Divine Mercy Website of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception at: http://thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/novena/sixthday.php.
Our Lord stated:
“These souls send all of Heaven into ecstasy and are the Heavenly Father’s favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance (1220, p. 439).”
If God Himself takes delight in the souls of children, and the humble souls who resemble them, can we do no less?
In honor of these special souls I am reposting a prayer I penned and posted many months ago.
If I Had the Faith of A Child
If I had the faith of a child, I would welcome each day with delight.
With reckless abandon, I would pursue the task of Life.
If I had the faith of a child, I would treat God as my Father,
With confidence I would speak to Him about little things throughout the day.
If I had the faith of a child, I would view His creation with a sense of wonder.
With gratitude, I would thank Him for the flowers, and snowflakes, and autumn leaves….
If I had the faith of a child, I would realize my smallness,
And I would seek shelter in His Magnitude.
If I had the faith of a child, I would not let a sense of time constrain me,
Rather, I would marvel in the timelessness of eternity.
If I had the faith of a child, I would not grow anxious about complex matters,
Instead, I would trust in His Providence to make it all right.
If I had the faith of a child, my prayers would be simple.
With innocence, I would reflect His purity.
If I had the faith of a child, I would tell Him, “I’m sorry,” when need be,
And I would believe in my heart that His Mercy is greater than my weakness.
If I had the faith of a child, I would see miracles every day,
With simplicity, I would accept the incomprehensible.
If I had the faith of a child, I would make God laugh.
He would delight in my littleness, and I in His Omnipotence.
If I had the faith of a child, I would feel His unconditional Love,
He would fill me with His gifts and I would share them.
If I had the faith of a child, I would possess true wisdom,
For, He would reveal the secrets of His Heart.
If I had the faith of a child, I would enter the Kingdom of God!
I would hope for Heaven, yet see the Kingdom here around me now.
If I had the faith of a child, I would trust that my every prayer would be answered.
Lord, please, grant me the faith of a child!
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May the Risen Christ bless you and yours abundantly
Praise the Lord for He is Risen!
Indeed, He is Truly Risen, Alleluia!
Ad Jesum per Mariam
M.A. J.M.J.
Beautiful post and beautiful pictures of the children. The joy and simplicity of our children awaken us to the beauty and sheer gift of the faith God infuses within us. Happy Easter!
Fr. Michael,
Thank you for the kind words. Their joy and simplicity is transcendent, and truly reflects the love of their Divine Creator. Happy Easter!
Blessings,
Mary Anne