26 Marian Helper • Winter 2022-23 • Marian.org In spring of 2020, when the whole world seemed cloaked in fear and suspicion, devolving to rancor and division, I felt a deep call to littleness and the joy of the Gospel. Hundreds of miles north of me, my friend, Allison Hsu, was spending the period of global isolation dabbling in watercolors, capturing moments of her beautiful children at play. A pediatrician and devoted mother, her paintings were simultaneously precise and whimsical: a joy to behold. When Allison shared her lovely rendition of the four evangelist icons (Matthew: man, Mark: lion, Luke: ox, John: eagle), I suggested that we partner to present the Gospels in a fresh way. Family affair I slowly read each Gospel chapter and asked the Holy Spirit to help me faithfully render the message. Soon, rhyming couplets emerged, and I delighted in the work, blessed to be learning and deepening my faith through writing. With my youngest seven children quarantined with me, I had a captive audience…and a house full of editors! In a few weeks, I had completed the first draft: 42 stanzas, with chapter citations in the margin. The book divided up nicely into 14 pages of three stanzas each, giving Allison illustration options, so important when sharing the beauty of the Gospels’ theme and variation. As for a title, while children were clearly intended, I realized in prayer that we were not writing exclusively for kids, or even young families, but for “little ones” to whom the Father is delighted to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom (see Mt 11:25, a common Alleluia verse in Mass). Throughout the ages, the great saints have emphasized littleness as key to holiness: gentle humility and complete trust in the providence and benevolence of God. In the months that followed, quarantine ended, but our labor of love continued, completing all four Gospels and prayerfully searching for a good partner in publication. Meanwhile, Allison and I agreed that we wanted the Little Ones project to be a work of mercy, instructing readers and providing relief through corporal works of mercy with the proceeds. In July 2021, I felt compelled to submit our work to Marian Press. To partner with the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, who promote devotion to Divine Mercy, engage in works of mercy, and have a solid track record of 75 years of non-profit publishing would be an answer to prayer. Our collaboration journey began, and now The Gospel of Matthew for Little Ones is available in hardcover, in time for Advent-Christmas and useful for the upcoming lectionary cycle, which features Matthew. Heaven and Kevin There are many ways to enjoy the book. First is appreciating the stunning illustration style. More than visually appealing, each picture tells an important story within the Gospel as a whole. When reading The Gospel of Matthew for Little Ones to children, you can ask them to listen carefully to connect the illustration to the corresponding stanza. Another activity is to read the first three lines of the quatrain and have children guess the last word of the last rhyme. It is a fun way to build both comprehension and language acquisition. I did this exercise withmy two youngest sons; they remained engaged and mostly guessed correctly —with the surprising exception of once yelling “KEVIN!” when the better choice was “Heaven.” Finally, the book is fully notated with chapter references and has selected Psalms at the very end. I hope you are moved by the Holy Spirit each time you read it, as I still am. Presenting the Gospel to ‘little ones’ New from Marian Press By Sara Beth Meyer The Gospel of Matthew for Little Ones is available now at ShopMercy.org/b56. Product code B56-GMLO.
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