Today we remember Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American to be canonized. She was called the Lily of the Mohawks, which is a tribe in the Northeastern USA, in present day New York State. Smallpox took her family, but she survived the disease, but got massive scars on her face. She had very poor eyesight, refused to marry, and had facial scars, so she was an outcast to many. She converted to Catholicism at age 18 or 19, and she died in her mid 20’s. The beautiful nickname, “Lily” must have reflected the inner beauty, peace and love she conveyed, as it sounds like her physical attributes and life style choice would not warrant such a name. As a young person, really a child, she links nicely to today’s Gospel.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives thanks to God that the wonders of our faith can be revealed to and accepted by the childlike, rather than the wise and learned. At first glance, this seems like an insult, as childlike can mean gullible, silly, foolish, immature or full of make believe. Furthermore, the Gospel contrasts childlike as the opposite to wise and learned. A lot of us would like to be wise and learned, and work hard at it. What gives?
Jump, I’ll Catch You
In my opinion, the “childlike” interpretation would mean trusting and open minded. Moreover, those trusting in God, and open minded that He is in charge, will reap the rewards of His gracious will. An analogy for the summer would be a child at the edge of a pool.
It’s hot outside, and the water offers cool relief. However, drowning is a possibility, which is the dangerous flip side of a refreshing swim. Jesus is in the water, waste deep, with arms outstretched. “Jump, I’ll catch you!” The trusting and open minded child may have heard of Jesus at home, and jumps. Wow, the cool refreshment and a chance to swim, and the joy of a new experience. Safety by a firm embrace.
A wise and learned person may not take that risk. The jump may seem too dangerous, have too many variables that could go wrong, and the “catcher” may be untrustworthy. Perhaps the wise and learned person is frozen by their own fear. “I’ll stick with the bad, but known situation”, rather than the upside of the refreshing water.
Leap of Faith
Most of the atheists I know think they know it all, and don’t need God. “I have it all figured out, I’m a self made man, I can do things myself, I’m in control” are their mantras. Most consider themselves wise and learned. They are unwilling to take a “Leap of Faith”. In the pool analogy, they may jump in with nobody to catch them. Maybe they will make it to the surface, maybe not. Seems to me that the childlike approach of jumping into Jesus’ arms makes the most sense. Saint Kateri made the Leap of Faith to Catholicism as a child, and in a few short years she touched many lives. Let’s think of her today, and figure out a way for all of us to be more trusting in God.
