Child-likeness and Childishness
[In order to be child-like we must have] a profound awareness of our littleness … a continuous disposition to be directed and lead, to give up all [and] be obedient in all. (OOCC, II, p. 19)
Child-likeness is different from childishness. Childishness is an unbecoming behavioral pattern we find in an adult. It points to the immaturity of the grown up person. Though he is grown up, in certain situations his behavior is similar to that of a child. We cannot appreciate a childish behavior. But child-likeness is a virtuous behavior. It consists of a person living the spirit of being a child before God. According to St. Vincent Pallotti, the following characteristics mark the virtue of child- likeness: a profound awareness of one’s limitations, a continuous disposition to be directed and led, giving up all and being obedient in every situation. Child-likeness first, involves cultivating a profound awareness of one’s limitations. It consists of a person deeply and existentially experiencing his smallness and insignificance before God. Second, a child-like person possesses a continuous disposition to be directed and led by God. Thus a person recognizes his total dependence on God. Third, a child-like person is ready to give up all. Since he knows that all he has is from God, he is detached from all and is ready to let go. He is happy in possessing the giver of gifts rather than the gifts themselves. Finally, child-likeness implies total obedience in every situation. It calls for total self-surrender before God. A child-like person feels that he is a child before God, trusting in him, depending on him, preferring him to his gifts and surrendering his life to him.
Am I childish in my behavior? Do I have the attitude of child-likeness? Do I recognize my limitations? Do I depend on God for everything? Do I prefer God, Giver of gifts, to his gifts? Am I ready to make a surrender of my life to God?
Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. (Mt. 19 14)