When God Shines Through The Eyes Of A Child

Molly made my eyes well up with tears of joy.

Beaming, she processed down the main aisle of one of our churches at the end of a recent weekend Mass, the priest a few steps behind her with a smile almost as large as the young server in front of him.

Less than two minutes earlier, just before the final blessing, Father had explained that Molly stepped up to serve the Mass when the scheduled server couldn’t make it. She had never served before; never had any formal training.

She had learned all she needed to know because of the intangible joy and love of God transmitted by her parents and her parish family. Everyone at Mass could see it in her eyes. They gleamed with that intangible joy.

What a daunting task for someone so young. Molly can’t be far along in elementary school. She handled her first Mass like a seasoned veteran, especially given her lack of formal training.

That brings me back to my main point. Anyone who has ever questioned – or might ever question – the concept of bringing young children to Mass should have seen this little angel in her white robe assisting Father.

Her parents bring her and her siblings to Mass every week. They lovingly and gently help their children participate in the Mass. They sing, they pray. Thanks to Mom and Dad, they pay attention.

As a result, Molly knew pretty much what to do when Father pressed her into service – literally on a moment’s notice. He offered a couple of directions, but not many.

Molly’s Mom served as lector at the Mass. Her maternal love and parental pride were impossible to miss during the opening few minutes of Mass.

Grandparents were in a pew. Dad remained in the back of the church with Molly’s youngest siblings.

As a result, most of the family had a chance to be part of one of the most amazing witnesses of our faith I have ever seen.

Molly showed scores of Evansville Catholics what happens when a family fully commits to fostering a collective relationship with God. Over time, children learn the beauty of the Mass. They learn about God and His Mercy, shown most directly through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son.

In less than an hour that recent weekend, I experienced the most powerful example of our Catholic faith’s foundational joy that I could ever hope for. And it came to me through a child whose parents clearly have never taken lightly the opportunity they get at every Mass to introduce their children to Jesus.

Join me in offering a prayer of thanks for that family’s collective witness; and add another prayer of joyous gratitude to God for one of the youngest servers in our diocese. I truly believe that anyone who is blessed to attend a Mass she serves will see, in Molly, the loving smile of Jesus.