Luke 18: Childlike faith

"Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it," Jesus tells his disciples (18:17).

Our faith must be childlike, but not childish.

St. Basil the Great, a 4th-century bishop and theologian, commented on this saying of Christ's: "We shall receive the kingdom of God as a child if we are disposed towards our Lord's teaching as a child under instruction, never contradicting nor disputing with his masters, but trustfully and teachably imbibing learning."

Accepting the teachings of Christ and his church like a child does not mean shutting off your brain. On the contrary, children are insatiably curious, always yearning to know more, to understand more. And when they find a true authority, they know it, and they listen eagerly and attentively. So must we.

But receiving the kingdom of God like a child means more than accepting truths with docility. We must receive the kingdom with childlike joy and gratitude. Picture a child on Christmas morning, unwrapping a long-desired toy -- the wide glowing eyes, the shrieks of joy, the repeated shouts of "Thank you! Thank you!"

The kingdom of God is a gift immeasurably greater than any Christmas present we've ever received -- it requires proportionate joy and gratitude.

(Image: Carl Vogel von Vogelstein, "Let the Children Come to Me," 1805)