In March, a series of short videos that focused on toddlers and sharing were making the rounds. In each of the clips, a toddler was seated in the middle between two people. In front of each person was a plate with a napkin covering it, and on the count of three each person took the napkin away to reveal a surprise. The toddler got two cookies, one of the participants got one cookie, and one person’s plate was empty.
The point was to see whether the child would share one of their cookies with the person who had none. The results were often very funny. Some shared right away. Others were visibly perturbed—they clearly didn’t want to give up any of their cookies, but they knew they probably should. Others were blissfully (and amusingly) unaware. They just munched away, even when the cookie-less adult said things like, “even if there was just one bite of a cookie left, I would like to have it!”
These reels were very funny. And of the five or so that I watched, one stood out in particular. The napkins came off, the toddler saw the inequities, and immediately gave one of his cookies to the person who did not have one. And then he went one step further: he took the napkin and covered the plate up again, so that the person who had experienced disappointment could have a ”redo.” This child wanted them to have a treat, and share the experience of surprise and delight in the reveal.
During Eastertide our Gospel passages tell us about Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances. So many of them are singular; Jesus revealing himself to individuals and small groups. It’s as if He wants each of us to experience the joy of revelation for ourselves. During this holy season, how is Christ making Himself known to you? And how are you sharing that surprise, that joy, with others?
Easter blessings,
