Listen and learn
09.07.2009
Why did Jesus say that we could not enter the kingdom of
heaven unless we became like little children?
Many people are familiar with the passage in the Bible about 'Who is the greatest in the Kingdom?' (Matt 18:1) Why did Jesus choose children, saying that unless we become like children we cannot enter the kingdom?
What is it about them? The New Testament gives an explanation: the child is held up as a model for the disciples, not because of any innocence but because of their complete dependence on, and trust in, their parents. So must the disciples be, in respect to God. But I think there's more.
I was not really fond of children before, not that I don't like them, it's just that I can't stand being with them for long. If someone asked me to watch over their child, a few minutes was okay but not for a long period of time. Now I've changed. What changed me was an encounter with a boy named Ampoy.
Before I became a Columban Lay Missionary, I met Ampoy, a grade school student. I used to teach high school students in class, and Ampoy was my first tutorial student. New to a one-on-one style of teaching, I often forgot that he was only seven and treated him like one of my high school students.
Since he was my first tutorial student, I wanted to make a good impression on his mother who hired me, so I saw to it that he understood what I taught him. The results from his everyday test in school were not bad, some were a perfect score. But one time in our tutorial he showed me his score from a test. Out of five questions, he got three correct answers. When I read the questions, they were easy but he was not able to answer them correctly. I asked him what happened? I was disappointed with his test and let him see that I was.
Seeing my reaction he put his arm around my shoulder just like a father comforting his child, saying, "Ate (Auntie) May, it's okay! Three is better than zero. Even one is better than nothing! If I get zero, I'll just study harder next time. I tried to study but I could only achieve three. Three means I've achieved something."
He was right. I realised the reason I was disappointed was because I was more worried how it would reflect on my performance as his tutor. In that moment, we had switched places, he became my teacher and I became his student. I'll never forget that day when I learned a valuable lesson.
In life, we can't expect things to be perfect, and it's really okay if things don't work out. The important thing is that we do something.
Ampoy also taught me how to handle children his age. From my encounter with him, I realised that children are interesting. When I had my apostolate in the mountain with the Atayals (the aborigines in Taiwan), my first friends were the children.
When I met them I reminded myself to follow the way I had related with Ampoy - to listen to them and be with them. Yes, I won't deny that at first I had difficulties and sometimes found it challenging, when they tried my patience with their naughtiness. But it's what Ampoy said, 'its okay!' At least I've changed the way I look at children. Now I enjoy their company. I feel free being with them.
I know now why they were chosen to be the greatest. It's not only because of their complete dependence on, and trust in, their parents, but I think if we pay attention to them, hear what they are telling us, they too can teach us.
Filipina May T Fernandez was a lay missionary in Taiwan from 2003-2008.
