People were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.    

If there is anything that the movie series "The Lord of the Rings" teaches, it is that evil is present in our world. As we begin the third and final session called "The Return of the King," we are aware that evil is about to conquer. "Our enemy is ready," Gandalf announces. Evil is prepared to take over middle earth. We must prepare for that evil, he says.

How do we prepare for evil that can completely destroy us in an instant? In terms of our modern world, how do we fortify ourselves against the evils around us? What can we do about global war? What can be done to conquer terrorism? What can be done to keep us from turning into warmongers ourselves? And on a personal level, what can be done in face of the individual evils that surround us: the pleasures of living that harm us, the power that corrupts us, the riches and material goods that lead us to the neglect of God and others.

These are enormous questions that cannot be answered by the people of this world in a simple manner. But for the Christian, the answer really is rather simple: if more people would become like children and come to Jesus, the evil would dissipate. Jesus tells his followers that they must be like the children who will accept the kingdom of God in total dependence upon and obedience to the Gospel.

As simple as it is to imagine, however, it is anything but simple to live. Coming to Jesus and accepting him like a child is difficult. It means complete acceptance of the Gospel with no questions asked—giving to others, reaching out to their pain, accepting the responsibility for what evil has caused, even if we haven’t caused it. It involves studying the evil tentacles that have wrapped themselves around our own thinking, and exposing them to the purifying Christian fire. It may even mean a complete life makeover.

Christian preparation to fight the evil of the world does not involve swords, or guns and bombs. It involves acceptance, acceptance of an attitude that comes from a person who tells us to do nothing more than come to him.

THOUGHT
 
PRAYER

Good and gracious God, we know that there is evil in the world, and in fact, in our lives. But we also know that your Son conquered all evil once and forever, and that all we have to do is, like children, to come to him and accept him. Help us come to him completely. Be with us, we pray.

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike

©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America