Blessing of the Children

Today's Reflections 

 

                                  

 

Blessing of the Children

Mt 19:13-15

¹³Children were brought to [Jesus] that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, ¹⁴but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” ¹⁵After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

Let the children come to me… the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. The disciples try to stop people from bringing their children to Jesus, but he tells them to let the little ones come to him. He surprises them further by saying that to such as these does the kingdom of God belong.

Jesus comes to bring the good news of salvation to us all. He does not turn anyone away: not little children who have no voice, not tax collectors or sinners who have transgressed, not even those who are sick and have been shunned by society. Indeed, we are all welcome in Jesus’ company and in his Father’s kingdom. But we need to have a child’s open and trusting heart to receive this great gift.

Our own sense of our sinfulness and unworthiness often makes us afraid to draw near to God. At such a time, let us sing with the Psalmist: “Turn away your face from my sins; blot out all my iniquities. A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit” (Ps 51:11-12).

Know the United Nations declaration on the rights of the child.

The first of the ten rights is:

“The right to affection, love, and understanding.”