‘Believe so that You May Understand’: St Augustine

Thomas Lima csc –

Readings: Jas 5:13-20; Mk 10:13-16

Today in the first reading St. James says that when you are cheerful, you should sing praises to God. Singing is a way we can respond to God’s goodness by proclaiming our thankfulness for His abundant blessings. It shows that we recognize that God is the source of the good things that happen in our lives. Every good thing is from above. If we are not relying on God, we may forget God during difficult times, thinking that we can “go though it alone.” We may become proud and boastful, giving credit to ourselves for our good fortunes. All of these are sinful responses. In good or bad times, we need to turn to God and rely upon Him.

In the gospel reading, the disciples rebuke the adults who were bringing children to Jesus. What follows is an indignant response of Jesus towards his disciples. “Let the children come to me and do not prevent them.”

Many times, we are like the disciples. We become a hindrance to people who are seeking the Lord. We may have the best of intentions such as avoiding noise or mess made by children inside the church but in effect, we are also preventing them from participating in church activities. Not only children but other insignificant people must be ushered into the Kingdom of God instead of being sent away. He wanted each of his children to understand him too and believe in him freely.

This is in line with St. Anselm’s “faith seeking understanding” and St. Augustine’s “believe so that you may understand”. It is best to start teaching people the values of Jesus when they are young. May we be like them for as Jesus says, the kingdom of God belongs to them.