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by Rev. Fr. V.V. Paulose, Toronto, Canada
"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Mathew 18:3)
Do you like to identify yourself with children?
Albert Schweitzer once reportedly remarked that there are only three ways to
teach - example, example and example. Jesus says it is better to learn from
children. The grown up world is corrupted by its conditioned minds and
behaviors. The world of the child is innocent and trusting. Now, who wants trust
and innocence? The world seems to work mainly around the elders and their
ugliness by neglecting and demeaning the children. Are we plucking out the buds?
Children are not only a choice but a gift from God. Children are the most
exploited and abused groups - in houses, schools and society. Danger mines are
ahead of them in the name of religion, science and technology. The place which
is considered to be the safest place for a child - “the womb”- is not so
anymore! So what examples are grown-ups modeling for their children? It is
never too late to look after children, learn and enter into the flight towards
heaven.
A six year old boy inspires a heroic rescue.
In late September 2010, Dr. Mayer Yacowar along with his six year-old son, Noah,
was snorkeling the coast of Turks. The waters suddenly became violent. Noah was
clinging to his arm, wearing a flimsy life vest. On the other side, a young
couple were trying desperately not to drown in the waters. Yacowar realized that
he could only help the couple by letting go of his son. As a father, it was a
difficult decision, but Noah made it easier for him. He looked at him and said,
“Dad, go do what do you best, Go and save that couple”.
Yacowar recalls, “And I let go of my son”. Noah stopped periodically to look
back at his father and encouraged the trio to keep moving on. “My dad has you,
don’t worry, don’t worry”, he called. Twenty minutes later, all four were back
on the boat, safe and sound. Dad was telling, “Noah was my inspiration”. The
saved couple say, “All our hopes, dreams and all the plans that we had made for,
could have come to an end”. They thanked Yacowar and admired the bravery of
Noah.
Don’t stamp on the worlds and lives of the innocent children so they end up in
inheriting the dark world. Instead, look on children and see the heavenly light,
and follow.
Jesus, you allowed the children to come to you
and blessed them. Give us child-like trust and faith. We pray for the children,
who are ill-treated, abused and exploited. Let the abusers repent and justice be
done. Let us see the angelic faces of the children and be radiated. We ask this
in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
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