Matthew 18:1-5,10; Feast of the Sto Niño

“Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” What’s with Children that heaven is promised to them? Years ago, I read a book titled “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” by Robert Fulghum. It’s about a writer who is in search of a personal creed, personal principle and foundation that is necessary for him to live a meaningful life, to be protected from any obstacles in life. As Robert Fulghum realized, he already knew most of what is necessary to live a meaningful life… and had known it for a long, long time since he was in kindergarten. Living it – well, that’s another matter. These are some of the things he learned as a kid:      

Share everything.       Play fair.       Don’t hit people.       Put things back where you found them.       Clean up your own mess.       Don’t take things that aren’t yours.       Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat.       Flush. Learn some, think some, and draw, sing, dance, play, and work every day some.       Take a siesta every afternoon.       When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together – stop, look, listen.      

Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. Take any one of these items and translate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life, or your work life, or your government, or your world, and it will surely protect and shelter you from harm.       Think what a better world it would be if we all played fair.  Don’t hit people.   Put things back where we found them.   Clean up our own mess.       Don’t take things that aren’t ours.   Say you’re sorry when we hurt somebody. Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess and not take things that aren’t theirs. . . . Think what a better world it would be.       And it is still true, no matter how old you are – when you cross the street, it is best to hold hands and stick together – stop, look, and listen.

All we really need to know we learned in kindergarten. All we need to get to heaven, or create heaven on earth, we learned it when we were kids. Jesus said, “Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” Indeed, if we follow the qualities of the Sto Niño, can you imagine the kind of life we would create for ourselves? If heaven belongs to children, then perhaps the real question is this: Are you willing to become small enough to enter it? We talk about following Jesus—but if we are not willing to trust, to be humble, and to depend like a child, are we really following Him at all? Being like a child isn’t about being weak—it’s about being brave enough to trust, humble enough to obey, and free enough to love. Which one are you? The Kingdom of Heaven is not for those who think they’re ready—it’s for those willing to be led. Are you willing to be led today by what you learned when you were in kindergarten?  

Lord Jesus, our Sto. Niño, You chose not the throne, but the arms of love; not power, but humility; not greatness as the world defines it, but the greatness of a trusting heart. Teach us to become small again— small enough to listen, small enough to trust, small enough to depend on You. Free us from pride that hardens the heart and from fear that keeps us in control. May our devotion lead us not only to celebration, but to conversion; not only to dancing, but to faithful living. As we honor You today, help us to follow You every day, with childlike faith, humble hearts, and lives that give glory to God. Amen.