One of the most important events in Jesus Christ's ministry is when the little children come up to him, seeking him. Jesus then declares one of the most important sayings in all of Christianity, the Bible, and of the Church: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Jesus explicitly says that the Kingdom of God, that is the Church, belongs to people who act like little Children. And anyone who does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter the Kingdom of God, which is both the Church in this life and the next, and Heaven in the next life. But here Jesus meant it as being Childlike, not Childish.

Let us call to mind a story to better illustrate this: There was a man who had two sons. Times were tough as the family was poor, and the children were getting restless. The man went up to his first child and said, "Son, do you trust me to get us all out of these tough times?" The son replied, "Trust? There is no way we are getting out of these tough times. There is no way I can see that we are going to have good times again. I simply do not see it, and I do not trust you." The first Son continued to act immaturely in this way, distrusting his own Father, and eventually left the house as a result of his distrust. The man went to his second child and said, "Son, do you trust me to get us all out of these tough times?" This son replied, "Yes. I trust in you. I know that you always take care of us, and I know that you will never abandon us. Although right now I do not see the way out, I know and trust in you that you will find a way." The second son continued to act in a mature fashion, continued to trust his Father, and stayed in the house. Eventually times did get good once again, and the family that remained in the house enjoyed their abundance, but more importantly the Love they all shared together as a family.

This is a short story that we need to look at carefully. The first son acted in a very immature and childish way. These are the people who act towards Christ in a childish way; they do not trust God, they doubt in God, and as a result they will leave the house and go their own way, thinking their own will is so much better than God's will. However the second son acted in a Childlike way. These are the people who act towards Christ in a Childlike way; they keep their trust and faith in God, for they know that through God all things are possible, and that God never leaves them like orphans, and as a result they stick with God through all the bad times, enduring it all, and eventually they have an abundance of joy, peace, and Love from God.

So then, this is what it means to be Childlike when in communion with Christ: always trusting in God, never doubting, always having faith, never falling away, being innocent, obedient in a loving way, not prideful, but simple and true. "A little child is not arrogant, he does not despise anyone, he is innocent and guileless. He does not inflate himself in the presence of important people, nor withdraw from those in sorrows. Instead, he lives in complete simplicity," as Theophylact puts it. Christ therefore is calling us not to be childish, nor become literal children, but instead to live like little Children in the faith, for children are models of faith. With innocent hearts, minds, and desires, we are to serve and love Christ with a childlike mindset, always trusting, always loving, always faithful. Whenever you are struggling in the faith, or life in the Church, just look at a little child, and be reminded of what kind of faith Christ is calling us to imitate.

The Grace of the Holy Trinity, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit, be with you all, and always unto age of ages. Amen.