The faith of a child....

Our sweet little Anna has a depth of faith that often stuns me. How one so young can grasp deep spiritual truths as easily as she does, baffles me. I've lost count of how many times, during the past year, she's turned to me in tears during Mass, because she's overwhelmed with the realization of being so close to Jesus. She's been known to burst into tears because "Jesus had to suffer and die because of my sins when He didn't even do anything wrong! I should be the one to die for my sins, not Jesus!! He didn't deserve that!" Pretty mature for a 5-6 year old. For the past few months she's been talking a lot about not wanting to have to wait until next year to make her First Confession. She's resigned to waiting until next year for her First Communion, but she's seemed burdened by having to wait for Reconciliation. Last month, after she'd been badgering me again ;), I told her we could talk to Father O'Grady and ask him if she could go ahead and make confession now. Here's how the rest of our conversation went:

Me-Honey, we'll need to take some time to make sure you understand how to make a confession first.

Anna- That's okay Mom, Father O'Grady will help me.

Me- That's true; he will. After he hears your confession, he'll want to know if you'd like to make an act of contrition.

Anna- What's an act of contrition?

Me-It's a prayer we pray out loud telling God how sorry we are for our sins because we know they hurt him. Then we promise God that we're going to try our best not to commit those sins anymore and we ask the Holy Spirit to help us keep our promise, because we know we can't do anything without His help.

Anna-Oh, I could do that, easy!

Me- Well, like I said, we'll have to talk to Father, first. What do you feel you need to confess, Honey?

Anna- Lying.

Me- Lying?!! When did you lie?!

Anna- Two years ago, when I was four. But, I'll tell Father that I was spanked for it!!

Me- :0!! Two years ago??! Sweetheart, that was all washed away when you were baptized last year.

Anna- I know, Mom. But I'll just feel better if I can confess it anyway. I don't know why I keep doing sins! I try not to, but I just do. I want to go straight to Heaven someday, Mom! I don't want to go to prigatory (Mom grin) first, just straight there. I want to be a saint!!

Me- I love you, Sweetie!


Good grief! What do you say to that kind of passion in a barely six year old?! So, last week the kids went to Wednesday CCD, like usual, and we all attended evening Mass together afterward. When Anna spotted me sitting in the chapel, she ran over and shouted whispered reverently "Mom! Father O'Grady let me make my First Confession!!!" Needless to say, I was a little surprised. Although, given the independence and confidence she's always shown, I should have known she'd take matters into her own hands. :) She volunteered that she'd confessed her two-years previous lying episode as well as much more recent disobedience at home. She told me Father asked if she was truly sorry for her sins, and she she told him "Yes! Sometimes I get so mad at myself! I tell myself "Anna! Why do you keep on doing sins? Every time you do another sin it's just like putting Jesus back on the cross! I don't want Jesus to have to be up there because of me!!" She prayed her own made-up act of contrition, then left the confessional and asked Josh to help her pray her penance prayers. She was so happy and calm to have made that step. And all by herself, too.


I was a little sad that I'd missed the chance to be there praying for her as she received her second Sacrament, but my sadness was eclipsed by a deep wonder. Wonder at the grasp this child has of the power of this Sacrament. Wonder at her simple, but very mature love of God. Wonder at the unquestioning faith she has in Jesus and his willingness and ability to cleanse and forgive all sin. Wonder at the genuine sorrow she feels about her own sins because she knows Jesus is hurt by each and every one.


I think this is what Jesus was talking about in St. Mark, when He said that anyone who does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. As grown ups we spend so much time over-analyzing and over-thinking every little thing. But children don't waste any energy on such things. They just keep their little spirits open and listen to the Holy Spirit whispering in their hearts and they believe. So simple. So pure. So uncomplicated. We don't need to have all the answers if we know the Answer.


Lord, protect me from the desire to fill my head with arguments and evidence. Develop in my heart the child-like simple faith you require of those who want to enter your Kindom. Make me more like Jesus.