The Cleveland Museum of Art Artlens Gallery offers a wonderful opportunity to create, explore, and interact with the art contained in the Museum. This is done through award-winning digital technology. Recently, I had the chance to visit the Gallery with an eight-year-old child. Although I had been there many times, this was the first time I experienced it through the eyes of a child. Her joy and wonder were captivating. Her freedom of movement and ability to enter the moment also brought joy to my heart.

Perhaps this is what Jesus meant when he said unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. It seems that as we grow and mature, we begin to lose our ability to find wonder and joy. We fail to see the beauty of God’s world; we fail to use our creativity to bring joy into the lives of others. And so, we grow up and lose our ability to see the Kingdom of God through the eyes of a child.

We become concerned with our safety, preserving what we have and getting more than we need. And so, we forget the childlike qualities of dependency on others, trust in the goodness of our world, and the innocence that comes from believing in the goodness of God, always faithful to be with us. And somehow, in this process, we forget to protect the children in our midst. We stand by as they are abused, victims of gun violence, or pawns in the wars that engulf our world.

May our Eucharistic celebrations enable us to feel the joy and wonder of God’s goodness, the beauty of one another, the vulnerability of children, and the sweetness of the food offered.

Where will I find joy and wonder today?

Let us Pray:

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. Look to him that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame. Taste and see how good the Lord is. (Psalm 34)