At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike." (Matthew 11:25)

We depend on many things starting from the moment of conception. We depend on food, water, air, and a properly functioning body. We depend on these things because they are essential for the continuation of our lives. As a child depends on his/her parents, we are called to depend on God for everything, especially during difficult times. We, as an adult, need to learn from little children. They are grateful and thankful. They “worship” their parents and seek their parent’s favor. Children are obedient, most of the time 😊. The Webster Dictionary interestingly defines “depend” as to hang down, like pendant hangs down from string and able to moves freely. Allegorically speaking, you are an ornament and God is the string.  If the string breaks, the ornament falls. Our life is totally dependent on God’s firm grasp. Our very existence is contingent upon Him. In and through Him alone, we can move freely to love, to serve. As St. Rose Philippine Duchesne beautifully said, “Lord, I lean on You alone for strength. Give me your arm to support me, your shoulders to carry me, your breast on which to lay my head, your Cross to uphold me, your Eucharist to nourish me. On you Lord, I shall sleep and rest in peace.”

Hang tight to the rope and “Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.” (St. Augustine)

Peace in Christ,
Father Vincent-Vuong Nguyen