What is childlike faith? Because of the relationship between child and parent, the child trusts and believes what the parent says. For the child, without analyzing it, is completely dependent on the parent for everything, from safety to sustenance, from life to love, from care to comfort. This faith and trust enables the child to receive and believe in the word of the parent without question.

Building on this reality, Jesus taught the disciples about this quality in their relationship with him. “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it" (Mark 10:14-15). 

That childlike trust was expressed by Peter. After Jesus revealed that he was the true bread from heaven, to be eaten if one wants eternal life, many disciples left Jesus. When Jesus turned and asked the twelve if they wanted to leave too, Peter responded: “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.  And we have believed, and we recognize that you are the Christ, the Son of God” (John 6:69-70). 

Do we have that childlike trust in the words of Jesus like Peter? This childlike trust is not blind faith but enlightened faith because of our relationship with Jesus. Because a child trusts the parent and accepts the word of the parent to be true, so we accept and trust Jesus the God-Man and are able to embrace his word.