10/7/21

     One day last week while on a conference call in my home office, I walked across the room to my daughter’s desk.  There was a little project she is working on—she’s writing a book.  Pretty impressive for a seven year old, but I might be a little biased.  It was all her idea too.  She was writing a “chapter”—in other words a page—a day.  The story was about the princesses Peach and Daisy from the Super Mario Bros. franchise.  They were in school and welcoming a new friend to their class.  The story, or at least what she had completed so far, told of how Peach and Daisy were the only two in the class that were nice to the new girl, Olivia.  One of them let Olivia sit in her desk.  The other shared some school supplies.  Their words and actions, small signs of love, welcomed Olivia into their class even though she was a stranger to them.   They did it on their own accord.  
     As I read the story, I was over-whelmed with emotion.  Sure, there was pride.  What parent is not proud of their children when they accomplish something?  Add to that, in this story, Ellie was writing about gospel values—loving your neighbor as yourself—yes, I was full of joy to see her express this truth in her story.  But, it went deeper than that.  As always, God was present there with me as He is with all of us, and for a fleeting moment, I felt like I experienced the same reaction my Heavenly Father has when I grow in His love, when I welcome the stranger.  This was a feeling of pure joy that left me offering praise and thanks to God for being able to experience it. 
     In that moment, God was forming me.  Jesus reminds his apostles that to enter the kingdom of God, we must be like little children.   So, why are children so exemplary at living out God’s kingdom?   The answer, I think, is pretty simple.  They have not lived in the human world for as long as adults have.  They have not learned the secular views of society that distort the truth of God’s love.  They have not developed the biases or stereotypes that meter our love for others based on our similarities.   Nor has a little child developed enough independence to think they can survive without their parents. 
     In Ellie’s story, she writes about Peach and Daisy talking about the new girl before they approach her.  They talk about how she looks different, talks differently, and always plays by herself.  They don’t want her to be alone and they recognize that she really is just like them even though she does not look and speak like them—most of this is confirmed after they get to know her a bit more.   They were nervous to approach her, but they did it anyway because they felt it was the right thing to do.  Without even realizing it, they were listening to the Holy Spirit whispering instructions on how to show love to this girl, who isn’t really a stranger at all.   It is far easier for the Holy Spirit to get through to the heart when it is not buried by layers of human-created differences that do not exist in God’s family. 
     After the homily this past Sunday, Ellie leaned over to me, hugged me, and asked if I could teach her more about Jesus after church.  Yes, Ellie, I can teach you about Jesus.  But, I think it would be better for you to teach me.   You are not an expert in Christology.  In your eyes, Ellie, theology is nothing more than a big word you don’t understand.   But your actions—the way you show love everyone you encounter through small simple acts—is a lesson more valuable than a lifetime of study with the best theologian ever. 
     There is no bias.  No stereotype.  Ellie does not see social status, race, ethnicity, gender, age or personal opinion.   Ellie, you smile at everyone.   You willingly bring part of your treasure—toys—to share with those who do not have them.   When you hurt, you turn to Mommy or Daddy trusting that we will never leave you alone or in pain.  There are just as many lessons I can learn from you as those you can learn from me. 
     No, Ellie is not perfect.  As she gets older, and spends more time in this world, she will have here moody times, talk back as a teenager, perhaps even rebel in serious ways.  It is all part of being a flawed human, and hopefully, she has enough of a foundation that even is she strays far away, she comes back to what is right and good in her lifetime.  But, at this point of her young life, she has not been exposed to the distorted, and unfortunately all too common view, that love of neighbor, service and sacrifice are bad.  Me first.  I want it my way.  Don’t agree with me?  You’re an idiot. 
     These are very real struggles.  I don’t expect them to cease just because I start to be more child-like and dependent on God.  I become pre-occupied and self-absorbed with my own problems and forget that everyone else has problems too.  Maybe the other person’s struggling with a problem much bigger than mine.   Maybe Ellie’s small smile, that simple and easy sign of love, makes a difference for that stranger.  The simplest act, done in love, does make a difference.  In Ellie’s story, Peach and Daisy welcome Olivia into their class with little acts of love.   In her life, Ellie welcomes the stranger through little acts of love.  Do I do the same?