Matthew 18
Independence, self-sufficiency, and autonomy are great human virtues and values. We encourage our children to learn these values as soon as possible so that they may become responsible for themselves socially and economically. This is how children become matured and adults.
But in today’s gospel, Jesus tells us to become like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven. And he teaches humility of little children. The humility of little children is not what they have achieved through conscious efforts. It is rather a state of their being children. It is their humble state of being dependent on their parents. Children are not knowledgeable and resourceful. But they know that their parents know what to do and that their parents give what they need. They are not ashamed to admit they don’t know. They are not ashamed to admit they don’t have. They are not afraid to ask questions. They are not afraid to ask for what they need.
I don’t think spiritual maturity means spiritual independence from the Lord. Spiritual adulthood doesn’t mean self-sufficiency away from the Church. Self-governing in spiritual matters without God is playing God.
The only wisdom a mature Christian enjoys is the wisdom of humility – it is the virtue that lets us put on Christ and become his instruments. The humbler we are, the closer we will be like Christ. I pray that I may grow into a little child before the Lord. Our Christian maturity is to become younger and smaller before the Lord.
