God is wise in heart and mighty in strength; who has withstood him and remained whole? // Job 9:4
It’s likely because I’m a twin and spent nine months sharing a womb with my brother, but I’ve always found comfort and security in small spaces. There’s something seemingly safe about curling up, tucked away, in a secret place.
Growing up, that place was the back corner of my closet. I would disappear there and sit in the dark, still quiet. Later, I think my friends were always grateful when I volunteered to squeeze into the back of the car surrounded by all the luggage during road trips!
If only that was the type of being “small” that Jesus alludes to in today’s Gospel, urging us to become like little children (see Matthew 18:3). The littleness Jesus wants from us—this childlikeness—isn’t about becoming small enough to squirrel away into our favorite childhood hideout, but it is about becoming interiorly small, completely dependent on our Heavenly Father for everything.
We learn this littleness in Job: “God is wise in heart and mighty in strength; who has withstood him and remained whole?” (Job 9:4) When we acknowledge the greatness of God we do so not with fear, but with a sober realization of Who He is and who we are. He is the God Who loves us infinitely, perfectly, completely, and unconditionally, as a good father loves his little children. We need not contend with Him for power or greatness, but merely receive Him, strong not in our own understanding but in our trust of His providence and His desire for our good.
Centuries after Job was written, Saint Catherine of Siena wrote, in words spoken by the Father, "Do you know, daughter, who you are and who I am? [. . .] You are she who is not, and I AM HE WHO IS” (source). These words are not meant to shame, but to free us to become like children in the arms of a Father Who wills for us goodness beyond our wildest imaginations.
Today, acknowledge God’s wisdom, might, and strength (see Job 9:4) and become like a child in the loving embrace of your Father.
Sœur Maria Fatima est entrée chez les Sœurs dominicaines de Marie, Mère de l'Eucharistie en 2005 et enseigne la religion au collège dans l'Ohio. Elle est titulaire d'une maîtrise en théologie de l'École de théologie du Séminaire Saint-Paul. Elle prend plaisir à aider ses élèves à se rapprocher de Jésus par l'Eucharistie et à découvrir leur véritable identité en tant qu'enfants bien-aimés du Père. Elle a contribué à All She Had . En savoir plus sur elle ici .
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