Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things. At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

In many ways we can be childish in our lives. We can be selfish, inconsiderate, and temperamental. However, if we have faith, hope, and love, then we will grow into holy children of God. We shall become Christ-like in all things, see the world around us more clearly, and know God’s Will more perfectly. The difference between childishness and child-likeness is the difference between self-centeredness and God-centeredness, between prideful self-dependence and trusting dependence upon God. Yes, God asks us to put away the childish things in our lives, the ones that lead us away from Him, but He doesn’t want us to rid ourselves of the most important thing we have to offer Him... our child-like love.

In what ways are we childish? How can we overcome these selfish and prideful sins and imperfections? What can we do to become a more faithful, hopeful, and loving child of our Heavenly Father?

O Lord, help us to put away those childish things that keep us from being holy heirs to your Heavenly Kingdom.

Amen.