Chapter 5

The Way of Spiritual Childhood

(Spiritual Maxims)

“At that time Jesus declared,
‘I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
because you have hid these things
from the wise and understanding,
(of this world),
and have revealed them to the little ones
(of this world).
Yes, Father, for so it seemed pleasing
in Your sight.’”

(Matt. 11:25-26)

The interior life, throughout its whole course, is nothing other than an education divine and parental, inspired and ruled by love.  God, on His side, fulfills perfectly the role of a parent, whose desire is to make us happy.  Let us, then, on our part, do all He expects of us as His little children.

What are the qualities that a well-disposed child has towards his mother and father?  In the first place, great simplicity, candor and openness.  A child has no notion of concealing or dissimulating with his parents.  He opens his heart to them, tells them all he feels, and that is how we should act towards God.  In fear, joy or sorrow, we should go to Him with the candor and simplicity of children.  He knows  better than we do what is passing in us, but He likes us to speak to Him about it.  He wants to be our confidant and friend.  Do not be afraid, then, to share with Him frankly, even your disappointments on occasion.  Such holy liberty pleases Him; nothing displeases Him more than cold reserve and hardheartedness.

Related to this is something else that we notice in the child, and that is his trust.  While timid and distrustful where others are concerned, in his parents he places unbounded confidence.  He knows that his parents love him; that they care for him, toil for him, plan for him, and have no other aim in mind than his or her happiness.  And so the little child neither cares nor troubles themselves about their own welfare, but leaves all to their parents, who provides for their wants, even for fun and innocent enjoyments, anticipates their slightest wishes and reads their child’s needs in his or her eyes.  The child is persuaded that the advice, the lessons, the corrections of their parents, the various tasks they require, the severity of their discipline, even what seems to be hurtful, have no other goal or object than the child’s true happiness; and they know this, not by reasoning, but by instinct and experience.

If only we had the same confidence in our Divine and Heavenly Father Who is worthy of it infinitely more than any earthly father or mother.  If only we would hand over to His Divine Providence the care of our spiritual interests; confide to His grace—far more than to our own efforts—our spiritual welfare and perfection.  If only we were deeply convinced that God does all things and ordains all things for our good (while leaving us free to work with Him or against Him); that His precepts which act as a curb to our passions, the duties that seem so painful, the evils and afflictions He permits, the hidden dispositions by which He disturbs our plans and cuts across our undertakings, the very faults and falls He refuses to prevent in order that we may become humble and mistrust ourselves, are permitted solely with a view to our eternal good and salvation—if, I say, we believed these things, how God would be glorified by our trust, and what intimate care, what loving attention, would not our confidence draw down upon us from His love and mercy.

“All things (without exception) work together unto good for those who love God.” (Rom. 8:28)  This is a spiritual axiom given to us by St. Paul.  And what else does loving God mean than speaking to Him, relying upon Him for everything, acting and cooperating with His grace, and—having done on our part all that He expects of us—trusting solely to His love and mercy?  O childlike trust!  What anxiety you would spare Christians who ardently desire their salvation, and how you would assure it much better than all the sufferings of mind that self-love brings in its train!  Leave to your Heavenly Father the direction of your inner life, follow quietly the attraction of grace, consult His holy will in all things, oppose it in nothing.  For the rest,  pay no heed to your foolish questionings, calm your imagination, and despise the vain fears that would weaken your trust in God.  This is the way to heaven, and if you meet with difficulties on the way, they come from you, not from God.