The readings from the prophet Ezekiel that we’ve had for Mass the past two days stretch our imagination to say the least. The readings are so strange they seem almost like they are from another world. How are we to take them? Yesterday’s reading from the prophet Ezekiel resembled more of a science fiction movie, than what we picture a real life encounter with God would be like. The storm winds, lights the color of electricity, figures inside a fire cloud that resembled humans beings, wings like roaring waters, and a throne like sapphire surrounded by the splendor of a rainbow, seems almost like something from a science fiction movie.
Then, in today’s reading from the prophet Ezekiel, we hear the account of how the God told Ezekiel to open his mouth and eat a scroll that was covered in writing on the front and the back. And, to top it all off, the scroll tasted as sweet as honey in his mouth. This is how Ezekiel became God’s prophet, and was the voice of God to the people of Israel.
This all sounds more than a little far fetched in real life doesn’t it? It sounds like something out of a science fiction movie. It would be easy to disbelieve the whole thing, or chalk it up to being a dream, or even an experience of alien visitors from other worlds.
However, if you revisit these old testament readings after you read today’s gospel, it might just give you a new perspective of these unusual writings from the prophet Ezekiel.
Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
There is a lot of wisdom in these words. They are generally taken to mean that we are to be humble, like the next verse in the gospel indicates. But, it’s also possible that we are to take matters on faith sometimes that we just don’t understand, like the readings from the prophet Ezekiel. Children do not understand very much about the world, and yet, they accept that they do not know everything. Their lack of understanding does not bother them at all.
Children simply live in the present moment and accept things as they are. This is an especially beautiful thing they do with people too. Children accept certain kinds of people that society rejects sometimes, (the homeless, mentally ill, alcoholics, drug addicts, etc.). Children see the inner beauty of a person, instead of noticing the flaws and shortcomings that most adults notice first in a person.
We could learn a great deal from children, about the dignity and value of every human person. There is a reason that Jesus said we must become like children, or we will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Children often love other people without judgement or reserve.
Jesus said for us to not despise children, for their angels in heaven always look upon the face of our heavenly Father. Many adults think children are a nuisance because of their unpredictable, spontaneous behavior, constant questions, crying, loud voices and the extremes in their emotions.
However, Jesus said we must turn and become like them in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. Maybe it would do us some good to learn to be more spontaneous, curious, in touch with our emotions, be more willing to reach out to others, accept people just as they are, be more joyful, live in the present moment, play and enjoy life more.
Jesus talked about going in search of lost sheep, that it is not the will of our Father that one of the little ones be lost. He could mean us. Maybe it’s not just sin, that Jesus is talking about. Maybe it is because as adults, we have learned to be more cynical, more jaded, reserved, less trusting, and more skeptical. These traits lead us further away from God.
Maybe today, we could try remember our childhood. How did the world in general feel? How did you experience other people? What did you love to do as a child? What did you enjoy doing the most? And as an adult, have you quit doing this? Like maybe ride bikes, swim, fly a kite, eat ice cream, or have a pet for an example.
This would be a good challenge today. To remember our childhood, and the simple pleasures and ways of relating to other people and the world around us, that we once knew. Maybe we could do something we haven’t done in a long time, that we used to enjoy when we were little. Or do something spontaneous, like picking wildflowers or go to the park on our lunch break. There are a million little ways we can reclaim some of the childlike qualities we once had, if we just look at the world around us, with fresh eyes.
Daily Mass Readings:
Ezekiel 2: 8-3:4 / Psalm 119 / Matthew 18: 1-5, 10, 12, 14
Related Post: The Children Didn’t Bother Jesus
