19 December 2012 Novena for Christmas: Day 4 Becoming like children before God “They were bringing children to him that he might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them.” (Mk 10:13) Jesus must have created around himself an atmosphere of goodness and attractive simplicity. The mothers feel glad to see Jesus blessing their children. He is happy to be with these little ones. “Let the children come to me and do not hinder them; for of such belongs the kingdom of God. I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. ... he took them in his arms, blessed them, laying his hands upon them.” (cf Mk 10:14-6) We must approach Bethlehem with the disposition of children: simply, ie, without prejudice and with our souls wide-open to grace. Our Lord says as he places a little one in their midst: “unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3). Jesus is not recommending childishness, but innocence and simplicity. He sees in children traits and attitudes that are essential in anyone desirous to enter the kingdom of faith. A child has not even the slightest feeling of self-sufficiency. A child constantly needs its parents, and knows it. Like a child, a person fundamentally in need, is what a Christian should be before his Father God, a being in total need. A child lives fully in the present only. The adult is predisposed to look restlessly to the future, ignoring the present which ought to be lived fully. A few days before the Passion “the chief priests and scribes ... heard the children crying out ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’; they became angry and said to him, ‘Do you hear what these are saying?’ Jesus said, ‘Yes; have you never read, “Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings you have prepared praise for yourself”?” (Mt 21:15-6) Let us learn to be children in the eyes of God. “We learn all this through ... Mary our mother; devotion to her teaches us to be authentic sons: to love truly without limit; to be simple without the complications which come from selfishly thinking about ourselves; to be happy, knowing nothing can destroy our hope. The beginning of the way, at the end of which you will find yourself completely carried away by love for Jesus, is a trusting love for Mary.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 143) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 1:177-83 Divine filiation: direction in our lives “You are my son, today I have begotten you.” These words from the second Psalm (v. 7) refer above all to Christ, but are applicable to us. They can orient our entire day and life, however many our weaknesses, if we are committed to follow Jesus in circumstances proper to each of us. To be and behave as childen of God, St Josemaria Escrivá emphasized, is not just one facet of our life. It defines who we are and determines how we are to relate to each event. Far from being just a particular virtue, just an aspect of Christian living, divine filiation is the fundamental status of a graced Christian. It pervades every virtue. Above and overall, we are children of God, in each circumstance, in every situation. This ironclad conviction ought to fill our living and doing. “We are children of God all day long”, wrote St Josemaria, “even though we do set aside special moments for considering it, so that we can fill ourselves with the awareness of our divine filiation, which is the essence of true piety.” (“Conversations with Monsignor Escrivá de Balaguer”, no. 102) If we often consider the truth that “I’m God’s child”, we will resolutely find support in our Father God, on whom everything depends, especially when visited by troubles and adversities. We will more readily return to our Father’s house, like the prodigal son. Prayer will become the trusting conversation of a child with his father, who understands and heeds his needy children. We will talk to God about what occupies our life: “everything that is on our mind and in our heart: our joys, sorrows, hopes, annoyances, successes, failures, even the most trivial happenings in our day. We will discover that our heavenly Father is interested in everything about us.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 245) When we live as God’s children, we see even the smallest activities of a routine day in the light of faith. It becomes customary for us to think and act in keeping with Christ’s will. In the first place, we try to see all those we deal with as brothers and sisters, for we are all children of the same Father. Appreciating and respecting them will germinate the same desire filling Christ’s heart: their holiness. Fraternal love will spur us above all to draw them ever more to God by their becoming more fully his children. Ours will reflect Christ’s apostolic zeal for all. A child is also heir, “entitled” to his father’s goods: “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Rom 8:17). The second Psalm, a hymn to Christ’s realm and divine filiation, continues: “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possessions.” A foretaste of the promised heritage is ours already in this life: ‘gaudium cum pace’, the joy of knowing that we are God’s children is born of the union with God -- not owing to our merits or health or success or easy sailing. It is grounded in knowing that God loves, embraces, and pardons us always ... and has readied for us a place in heaven next to him for all eternity. This joy vanishes when we push aside the instinct of divine filiation and close our eyes to God’s will, ever wise and loving, behind the trials and strains that each day brings. Far be it for God to will our loss of joy. Like earthly parents (although much more so), he wants to see us happy always. Despite hardships, with this serene, cheerful attitude toward life (St Josemaria Escrivá liked to call it “gaudium cum pace” [joy with peace] (“Roman Missal”, preparation for Mass: ‘formula intentionis’.), a Christian spreads much goodness on all sides. True joy is a powerful magnet. Ref: Francis Fernandez-Carvajal and Peter Beteta, “Children of God”, 1997, p21-3 • In the year 657, St. Ildefonsus, Archbishop of Toledo, was saying matins; Our Lady, it is said, appeared to him, accompanied by a great number of the blessed, and holding in her hand the book which he had composed in her honor, she thanked him for it, and out of gratitude gave him a white chasuble. This celestial present is still preserved at Oviedo, Alphonsus the Chaste, King of Castile, having solemnly transferred it to the Church of St. Savior, which he had built. — “Baronius, ad ann”. 657, n. 42. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • “Nuestra Señora de Toledo”. Spain. 657. “La Orden del Sto Sepulcro y el arte mudéjar”: “Nuestra Señora de Toledo”. “Toledo Catedral de Sta María” declared part of common heritage of mankind. ... (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Toledo, Spain (657). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com) • Our Lady of Etalem (Bavaria, Germany). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • “Unsere Dame von Etalem”. Bavaria, Germany. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Marseilles. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)