When I saw the fireworks this year. I was mesmerized. Little “stars” would shoot up high into the sky and dance their little dance. They dazzled as they popped. Colors, shapes, and lights of all sorts lit up the night. “Do it again,” my soul would say. “Do it again.” Another set of fireworks would shoot up – as if in response – to enchant me once more.
We love mystery. We love wonder. We love being that child. We catch glimpses of ourselves here and there being that child, but they often remain that: glimpses.
Becoming a Child
Today, our Father invites us to become that child once again through the words of His Son Jesus Christ. “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will” (NABRE, Matt. 11:25).
Another translation for “childlike” is little one. We all desire the mysteries of the kingdom, so let’s become a little one. That’s Christ’s invitation. But first, I invite you to contemplate an image with me called Our Lady of the Streets.
Through this image, I hope we may arrive at a deeper appreciation for what it means to be the Father’s child and the way in which Mary can help us. There are three aspects where I wish to focus our attention.
Notice the Child
If we look at the image, we’ll notice that the child is a tiny child. He is a little one. He looks to be no more than one or two years of age. That age conveys a sense of innocence, helplessness, and total delight in the world.
The child is also asleep in his mother’s arms. His tiny hand lays across her chest. His body leans on hers. From these details, we can draw out a reality of the child: he trusts his mother and depends upon her completely. And therefore, he can sleep soundly.
Finally, the mother has wrapped her hand around her child. She not only receives the child into her arms, but also extends her own hand to further ensure the security of her child; he is safe with her.
Relating this back to our Gospel, this image can encourage us to become that little one. The first aspect reminds us that we have to be very small in our hearts. We must accept our own infancy because that’s who we are: little ones, fast asleep. The second aspect invites us to another reality: Mary is the shortcut to this childhood.
Martian Messages about the Childlike
When she appeared to St. Juan Diego, she said, “Listen and understand, my littlest son, let nothing frighten and afflict you or trouble your heart … Am I not here, I, who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow? Am I not your health? Are you not by chance held in my mantle?”
Finally, the third aspect reminds us that Mary has already extended her hand to cover and protect us. We only need to accept it. During the apparitions for the Miraculous Medal, rays shot out from Mary’s hands. She told St. Catherine Laboure what these meant. “These rays symbolize the graces I shed upon those who ask for them. The gems from which rays do not fall are the graces for which souls forget to ask”
Mary extends her hand to us, but so often, we fail to embrace it. She wants to hug us tightly. Let us not let another day pass without receiving her love.
This image leaves much more room for meditation, but at least, these aspects may be a chance to find the road to childhood less daunting. We all love fireworks or some other wonder akin to them. God wants to “Do it again” for us every day. He will mesmerize us if we let Him. O Madonna of the Streets, pray for us.
[Readings for Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week: Isaiah 10:5-7, 13b-16; Matthew 11:25-27]
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