Made Visible
“...the works of God might be made visible through him.” - John 9:3
I have no idea what’s coming… or who… toddlers or teenagers, 5 kids or 35 kids. The amazing thing about Children’s Liturgy of the Word is that all children present at Mass are invited to participate. As the leader, I need to be prepared for any combination of kids and interest levels to show up. Some weeks I have a small group of preschoolers and others a large group that spans every grade level. I let out a silent cheer each time my self-appointed teen volunteer joins me for the blessings, since I know she can keep the rowdy kids in line while I guide the conversation. They come in their Sunday best dresses or in leggings and sneakers, sometimes in a Christmas sweater halfway through Lent. The children come just as they are, and so do I.
On a recent Sunday, our little classroom was packed with kids of all ages. They overflowed the rug and hung off the chairs and tables stacked in the corners. We had experienced several days of rain and these California kids were jumping out of their skin even more than usual. My own life had been in great turmoil as well. As we talked about the healing miracles of Jesus and the different examples in the Gospels, the kids were getting even more restless. They had dozens of questions about leprosy but not many comments or connections about how Jesus curing the lepers might make a difference in their lives today. My carefully outlined lesson was starting to fall apart…
One of the regular attendees, a boy who is probably about 10 years old, chimed in and said he had something to share. “You guys may not know this, but I was born deaf.” He went on to describe how it took a while for people in his life to figure out he couldn’t hear. He firmly believed God sent the right teachers and doctors and specialists to figure out how to help him. While he struggled to articulate all the connections he was making with the Gospel, what shone through brightly was his faith. Like the young man in today’s Gospel, he knew without a shadow of a doubt that God was responsible for healing him.
In a crowded classroom on a random Sunday, I was reminded that the Word continues to be made flesh in my midst. God calls forth and equips new disciples each and every day. As we returned to the congregation for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, my heart was burning within me.
Jen Coito