Sometimes I think our society doesn’t know what to do with children. We either try too hard to protect them and almost smother them with our care. Or we discount them, saying things like, “Oh, he’s just a kid. She’s too young to know much!” There’s truth to both sides: yes, children are precious, and yes, they need a lot of guidance. Which is why we should make sure children hear the glorious good news Gospel from a young age. Believe me, they understand a lot more than we give them credit for.  So from a very early age, let them know that Jesus loves them, and what He did for them.

Often, when I talk with adults about life and death issues, sometimes they scoff at me, saying, “Only children believe in heaven, right?” I say no! Actually, we should be more like children! Jesus himself said unless we become like children, we’ll never enter the kingdom of heaven. I think that is because children don’t need to have everything explained. They ask many questions, but they’re fine with mystery. Have you ever taken a little kid to a magic show? They can’t believe what they’re seeing! It’s the same when you introduce a little one to Jesus. They are blown away by the love and grace of God. They don’t completely understand it, but that’s okay with them. They are content to live in the loving embrace of Jesus Christ. We should be more like children, and we should never miss an opportunity to share God’s love with a little one and so reach our world.  

This is Luis Palau.