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Writer's pictureMary Jo Barr

MEMORIAL OF SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER, PRIEST



Gospel Lk 10:21-24

Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,

"I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned

you have revealed them to the childlike.

Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.

All things have been handed over to me by my Father.

No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him."

Turning to the disciples in private he said, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.

For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see,

but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it."


REFLECTION


"I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned

you have revealed them to the childlike.

Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.


What are childlike qualities? Childlike means to have these qualities: innocence, trust, truthfulness, enthusiasm, curiousity, and dependence.


Young children are truthful. They are honest. A little girl was looking at my 96-year-old mother's face and asked, "Why does your face have lines on it?" Then she tried to smooth out the wrinkles. My mother let her rub her face until she finally realized she couldn't get rid of the lines.


A child will show excitement or enthusiasm when reacting to a new discovery. The kindergartners were watching incubating eggs. Suddenly, there was a squeal from one of the kids as they watched with excitement the chick's beak poking through the egg. They all patiently lined up to see the rest of the chick emerge from the egg. They were all clapping and joyful for the hatchling.



Another attribute is trust. Someone childlike trusts his/her parents in situations that are difficult for them. If a child falls and hurts himself/herself they will cry and wait for their mom or dad to pick them up and take care of their scraped knee.


These qualities show that the childlike are open to depend on a caregiver. Who is the best caregiver... Abba, Father.


"I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned

you have revealed them to the childlike.

Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.


Adults can reclaim their childlike attributes if they surrender their will and live in God's Will. St. Francis Xavier was so excited about serving the people in India and converting thousands of souls to Catholicism. He wrote back to his congregation exclaiming that his arms were sore from baptizing so many converts for Jesus.


Let us pray to be childlike and ask for the grace to live in Our Father's Will and say, "Fiat! Thy Will be done."


God bless you!


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