St Anthony of Padua

Spontaneity

A child is usually found to be

Unaffected

Untainted

Spontaneous

Natural

Free

Without reservations

Totally expressive

Let  the ones who have lost their childlikeness learn

Let those who are self conscious admire

What it means to be childlike

To them our Lord says

Keep not the little ones from Me

Praise God!

 

Children Eucharistic Adoration

The fruit of Fr. Antoine Thomas’ work is bearing fruit as more and more parishes organise monthly Eucharistic Adoration for children. While there used to be some resistance in the beginning, it is now clear that many preconceived ideas about the ability of children to keep still and to be silent have now been greatly reduced. In fact, it is always so edifying to pray with these little ones whom our Lord takes delight in. They can certainly be silent. In a typical session of about an hour, there are at least three moments of total silence and prostration  before the Blessed sacrament. Starting the children young is an advantage, certainly. Praise God!

A child of God is a happy child

Undoubtedly one can learn a lot from the spontaneity of children. Not at all self conscious. Is it any wonder that our Lord loves little children and invites them to go to Him?

Beautiful Children

Those who are little

The innocence of childhood. The joy of being little.

It takes a child to teach one how to surrender. It is only the little ones who knows how to lean on the Father.

I saw many children in the various places that we visited. Most were cheerful, smiling warmly at us. No suspicion. No hidden agenda.

Praise God for little ones. Is it any wonder that the Lord asks that we be like children, and that we learn to depend on the  Father?

No wonder at all. To lean on the Father is the way, naturally and rightfully so. Can little ones take care of themselves? Hardly.

So St Therese shares with us the joy of being child like, and of not being surprised should one show weakness and vulnerability. After all, little ones can hardly do much for themselves.

See the smile on this child’s face. He can smile in peace and confidence. He is loved – deeply.

Tiger Valley cemetary

What, I wonder, was in the mind and heart of this young child? We were all there, ready for a prayer service to be conducted for the missionaries whose tombs were there, near the church in Tiger Valley. Here the Founder of the CICM missionaries had  given of himself, totally to the cause of preaching the Gospel by laying down his life.

So, what was in the heart and mind of this young child? Just observe the casual way the young boy has positioned himself, leaning against one of the few tombstones there. With his hands on his head it does seem like he cannot figure out the meaning of life. What about us? Once we know the meaning of our existence, we are more likely to be able to live fully, with the knowledge that we are on a pilgrimage. Life on earth is temporal. What matters after our departure counts as much if not even more. . .