What Are You Hungry For?

It was a tiny congregation. So small that when it came time for the Eucharist we were able to form a circle around the altar with room to spare. The few children present were served first and as the priests, a husband and wife team, made their way around the circle no one noticed the children moving in the opposite direction until they held out their hands again.

"Can we have seconds, Mom?" they asked the priest.

Oh, to be so bold! Young children are so transparent, eager to ask for what they want, open with their feelings and enthusiastic about life. Of course, we all laughed, but Mom in her wisdom gave them more bread with a smile.

We spend most of our lives trying to grow up, to be responsible, to "act like adults." Why does Jesus tell us to become like children? I think it must have something to do with having the kind of transparency that says we are not afraid to be who we are. Sometimes the message to "grow up" gets interpreted as "don't feel what you feel" or "don't want what you want." Maybe Jesus is telling us that it's okay to be real. Does it also have something to do with trust?

I don't remember much of the sermon, but the message the children illustrated that Sunday morning was clear. Am I bold enough to ask for "more" of Christ?

"Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." ~ Matthew 18:3