Wednesday, August 11, 2010

In us!

Excerpt from DoubleClose: The Young Child's Knowledge of God, by our director, Catherine Maresca:
I was in a group of children that included five-year-old Harry. We were speaking about the mustard seed as an image of the kingdom of God. I asked the children to think of other places where this power of God exists. Harry immediately said with a big smile, "In us!" The other children listed various animals and plants, and Harry repeated, "In us!" The others continued with their ideas and Harry announced a third time, "In us!"
Theological Reflection:
Young children are small and vulnerable. But they are actively working to be strong. As infants, they are often moving their legs and arms to prepare them for crawling and walking. When they start to walk, they like to carry the heaviest bag that they can find. By age five, a good race across a field is exhilarating for them. Harry rejoices that this parable affirms the power within him and his growing strength. It connects his life to God's life, his strength to God's power.
God's life is just as present within in us all. A life that grows from small to large, and from weak to strong. In us! A life that reflects God's love. In us! A life that joins us to God, to one another, and to all of creation. In us!

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