Children are the great “levelers” In our lives: they have a great ability to get to the heart of the matter.I remember the time little Theo watched our live-streamed Mass from his home when he was a toddler. When he would see me saying the Mass on TV, he would run up to the screen and point me out to his parents, as if he was saying: Hey, there’s Fr. John!” He was proud of himself that he could find me. As he got a little older, his parents took him to live Mass for the first time. Now he could see me on the pulpit instead of on TV. However, at first, he couldn’t understand how I could be in two places at once! So, when his parents pointed out to him that I was really the same guy that he saw on television, he said “No!” “I see Fr. John back at home on tv, so how can he be here too? That can’t be him!” Well of course, it gave everyone a big laugh, but Theo was quite serious; he was going to trust his own experience until proven otherwise. Children are great because they get right to the heart of the matter. They are happily unencumbered by the complexities of adulthood. They approach things with honesty and simplicity that cut through the rationalizations and justifications we adults make to explain things. They are not afraid to express their truth as they see it! In today’s Gospel, Jesus acknowledges the innocence and directness of children when He praises the Father: “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 little ones.” I have heard many first-time parents humbly admit that their best teachers in parenting are their own children. Their little ones help Mom and Dad realize the deep reservoir of love that they possess and their ability to give, teach and care for these lives God has entrusted to them. Doesn’t it stop us adults in our tracks! We know how to water down the truth, give politically correct answers, find ways to get our own way, as our regular practice. Jesus would rather us have the simple honesty and directness of children, because there are no hidden agendas involved. But we need to also remember that the “little ones” in today’s Gospel include not just children. Many of those who care or have cared for someone living with a terminal illness, a chronic medical condition, or a physical or mental disability experience times, when they, the caregivers, become the “cared for”. On this Independence Day, let us give thanks to our Father for the good people in our lives; both children and parents!

                                                                                                  ~Fr.John