Revealed to the Childlike

Celebrating in style: Elijah and his find (abandoned dessert container)

Samuel at the spigot, ready to fill a water balloon.

P with her ice cream cone

Evidence of dessert, written all over his face!

At that time Jesus exclaimed: "I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones.  Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will."  Mt 11:25-26

One of the most amazing, holy places we visited while on our family pilgrimage in Italy recently, Santa Croce in Gerusalemme introduced us to Antonietta Meo (+1937), buried there.  Affectionately known as Nennolina, this little child of God died at the tender age of six.  Her letters to Jesus speak the simple, profound faith of the pure soul of a little child, openly in love with her creator and Lord:

"Dear Jesus Eucharist, I am so very, very happy that you have come into my heart.  Never leave my heart, stay for ever and ever with me.  Jesus I love you so, I want to let myself go in your arms and do what you will with me... O loving Jesus, give me souls, give me a great many!...."  Venerable Antonietta Meo, in a letter to Jesus

Would that we could all live with the awe and wonder God placed in our hearts for loving Him at the moment of our creation.  If only the clamors, distractions and chaos of our noisy world didn't so easily change our focus and redirect our attention and truest affection.  If only we could love like the little ones! 

Did you know that today's Gospel reading (Matthew 11:25-30) was THE Gospel reading in every single Catholic Church across the globe today?  Our universal Church celebrates the same Mass, everywhere all over the world each and every day.  How awesome is that?