Michel Quoist on A CHILD'S EYES

When pure eyes meet yours, it is I who smile at you through the flesh.
But on the other hand I know of nothing sadder than lifeless eyes in the face of a child.
The windows are open but the house is empty.
Two eyes are there but there is no light.
And, saddened, I stand at the door, and wait in the cold and knock.I am eager to get in.
And he, the child, is alone.
He fattens, he hardens, he dries up, he gets old. Poor old fellow!

Alleluia! Alleluia!
Open, all of you, little old men!
It is I, your God, the Eternal, risen from the dead, coming to bring back to life the child in you.

Hurry! Now is the time. I am ready to give you again the beautiful face of a child, the beautiful eyes of a child . . .
For I love youngsters, and I want everybody to be like them.”

(Prayers of Life)