Becoming Little Before God
The Gospel overturns our instincts about greatness. We imagine greatness as influence, achievement, and strength that stands above others. But Christ places a child before His disciples and teaches that true greatness begins with becoming little.
To become little before God does not mean becoming childish. It means becoming humble. It means living in truth: I am a creature. I am not self-sufficient. I need mercy. I need grace. I need God.
This is difficult because pride is subtle. Pride can live even in spiritual ambition. Pride can turn faith into performance. Pride can make us cling to being right rather than becoming holy.
To become little is to let that performance fall away.
A child trusts. A child receives. A child depends. Christ is not praising immaturity; He is praising trust. The little one knows he cannot save himself.
In a Franciscan way of life, we learn littleness through simplicity and obedience. Obedience is not humiliation; it is a school of trust. It teaches us that God leads through concrete realities — through fraternity, through daily duties, through limitations.
Littleness also makes room for joy. A proud heart is heavy because it must carry an image. A humble heart is light because it can be honest.
The Eucharist again reveals divine littleness. God hides Himself. God becomes small. God becomes bread. This is not a trick; it is love. Love chooses humility because humility makes intimacy possible.
When we become little before God, we stop negotiating with Him. We stop trying to control. We begin to pray more simply: “Lord, I trust You.” “Lord, have mercy.” “Lord, teach me.”
This simplicity is powerful because it is real.
If you desire spiritual growth, do not begin with grand plans. Begin with littleness: accept correction, apologize quickly, forgive sincerely, do small acts of service without needing to be noticed, speak less, listen more.
Littleness is not weakness; it is the doorway into God’s strength.
God resists the proud not because He is harsh, but because pride cannot receive. But He gives grace to the humble because humility has open hands.
Become little before God.
And you will discover the peace that comes from no longer needing to be great — because you belong to a great Love.