The Gospel reading from Matthew contains a quote many of us know by heart: "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them.” Jesus frequently used children to illustrate a point to those around him and now, to us. But why?

Many scholars say Jesus may have used children in his parables and stories because children are the epitome of the word “humble.” They have a natural humility, and their questions, unlike those of the scribes or pharisees, are not asked to trick you, but rather, because they truly want to know the answer. They want to know the truth. There is no pretense or ego involved on their part.

How sad that as we have aged, we have lost our childlike humility, and now many of our conversations with family, friends, and coworkers are designed merely to prove a point: I am right, and you are wrong.

So how do we regain the childlike humility we once had? Maybe prayer is a good place to begin.

Here is an old prayer that many of us may have said often. It remains a powerful reminder that the key to our salvation is inextricably tied to our willingness to become less self-centered and more Christ-centered.

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I, Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

In our hyper critical and overly competitive world, where we are quick to seek the approval of others, and often slow to extend our own approval of their successes, can we humble ourselves before God, and pray from a childlike space inside us that approaches God humbly, earnestly seeking answers? Can we suspend our jealous tendencies and our need to claim center stage, and trust that we can become just as holy as we should?

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, grant me the grace to desire it.