A little voice raised itself above the sounds and silence of our Sunday Mass in something between a cry and a shout. As parents, my wife and I once worried considerably about that “toddler talk” at inappropriate times. We desired a sincere devotion and awe-inspired silence, and it seemed fitting that our children should as well. Several years (and kids) later, reality has taught another approach.
A few months ago, I was attending Mass at a parish that has an uncommonly large number of large families and small children. The church was quiet. The priest was preparing the altar, as the choir was momentarily without song. But then in the silence voices were heard, small ones—first one far away and then another closer by. As one would settle, another would rise up. Normally, as parents, we patiently accept the noise and attempt to focus as best we can on the Mass. But on this occasion, I did something different: rather than hear these infant voices as an interruption, I took them in as a song of praise.
I swelled with emotion. These little voices, unknowingly, were woven together in the acoustics of the gothic ceiling, and they became their own little choir offering a spontaneous accompaniment. Out of the mouths of babes, the Lord was glorified. I thank God for giving me ears to hear.
(Jordan Kowalkowski is a lifelong Catholic and a father of ten. He and his wife are raising their children in west Michigan.
