As we enter the season of Lent, we are invited to embrace a childlike faith—one marked by humility, openness, and a welcoming spirit. In Matthew 18:1-5 and Matthew 19:13-15, Jesus calls us to “become like children” to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. He challenges the disciples’ notions of greatness by placing a child in their midst, emphasizing that true greatness comes from humility and trust rather than status or knowledge.
Children naturally embody qualities that many adults struggle with—they ask questions without fear, welcome others without prejudice, and depend on God and others with openness. This Lenten season, we are encouraged to cultivate these childlike qualities in our spiritual lives, setting aside pride, self-sufficiency, and exclusivity to draw closer to Christ.
Jesus also affirms the value of children by instructing his followers to welcome them in his name, a countercultural teaching in his time. Early Christians lived out this teaching by caring for and protecting children, helping to reshape society’s view of their worth. Likewise, we are called to extend a spirit of welcome to those who are often overlooked or marginalized.
This Lent, let us commit to a season of learning from children—approaching God with curiosity, embracing humility, and welcoming others with open hearts. As Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs” (Matthew 19:14).