Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Simplicity of a Child

In his book "Up the Organization" Mr. R. Townsend describes man as a "complicating animal." That man tends to complicate, especially under pressure. Yet we know that truth is a simple truth not a complicated one. That is why we have to call to mind the advice of Jesus: "I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Mt. 18:3).

Our world is complicated because of insincerity, hidden agenda and ambitions, people pretending to be what they are not. Let's go back to the simple truth. When Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their hypocrisy He emphasized the principle of humility: "Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted" (Mt. 23:12). Even Shakespeare in Hamlet (act 1, sc.3) cites: "To thine own self be true and it must follow as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man." This must be an important principle since Jesus talks about it seriously when He says, "I tell you solemnly unless we become as a little child we shall never enter the kingdom of heaven."

So from today, begin by being true to God, to yourself and your neighbor. Say what you mean and mean what you say. St. Teresa, an avidly truthful person had this maxim: "Never affirm anything unless you are sure it is true."

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