Note: this homily is for a children’s Mass
Many years ago, when I was living in Kenya, the community recognized certain people among them as the mzee, the elders. People that had not only lived a long life, but were recognized as having garnered wisdom from their life – from the difficulties, the mistakes, the successes – and now carried the treasure of that experience as wisdom that was available to the tribe. When people needed advice about an important decision or a difficult problem, they went to the wazee of the community.
What about us? To whom do we go if we have a difficult problem. If I have a pastoral dilemma I probably won’t go to Kindergarten to ask the students there for advice. I will go to chat with Fr. Jim or Fr. Chris. That’s me, what about you? You might ask your parents, your grandparents, or your teachers or a coach.
And yet, in today’s first reading, St. Paul tells us something surprising. He says that God sometimes chooses people whom the world considers weak or unimportant to show us something about His wisdom. And that includes children – perhaps even kindergarten kids. Not because children know more than adults. There are lots of things you still need to learn. But it does mean that you have something to teach us. Let me give you an example.
Imagine that a new student comes to school. The student doesn’t know anyone. At lunchtime, everyone is sitting with their friends, talking and laughing. But the new student is sitting alone. I know that often adults will encourage students to sit with the new kids, but perhaps the adults are busy. Then one of you notices.
You simply walk over and say, “Would you like to sit with us?” It might seem like a very small thing.
But think about what just happened. You noticed someone whom others had overlooked. You recognized that someone needed a friend. And you did something about it. That’s a kind of wisdom.
And it brings us to today’s Gospel. Jesus tells us that when we care for someone who is hungry, lonely, sick, or in need, we are caring for Him. Jesus is telling us that sometimes we encounter him in people we might not even notice.
And perhaps that’s something children can teach adults, remind us when you notice things we miss. When you notice when someone is sad or being left out. When you notice when something isn’t fair. And when you take action – even as simple as “Would you like to sit with us?”
Of course, children don’t always get it right. Neither do adults. We all have things to learn. But here’s what I want you to remember. God doesn’t have to wait until you’re grown up before he can work through you.
You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room, or the strongest, or the oldest. You simply have to be willing to notice the people around you and respond with kindness and love.
As it says in the Book of Wisdom, Wisdom “makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her.” St. Paul reminds us that Wisdom finds the children worthy. So, be attentive to those around you. Because sometimes the wisest thing we can do is simply notice someone who needs us. And when you do, you may be helping the rest of us see the world a little more as God sees it.
Image credit: created by Dalle-3 on 8-26-26 with elements: word “Wisdom”, wooden letters, light bulb, warm wooden background
