Saturday, May 25, 2002
7th Week in Ordinary Time
1st Reading: James 5:13-20
Gospel: Mk 10:13-16
People were bringing their little children to him to have him touch them,
and the disciples rebuked them for this.
When Jesus noticed it, he was very angry and said, "Let the children
come to me and don't stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such
as these. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of
God like a child will not enter it." Then he took the children in
his arms and laying his hands on them, blessed them.
Commentary
We are still shocked by the news of so many "child abuse" cases. Child labor, child soldiers, street children, child pornography, abandoned children. How could Jesus, who asks us to love and hope, forget the children who are also our hope and need most of our love? Little children are symbol of totally defenseless people, like the weak and the poor, who are to be the first according to Jesus' new hierarchical ranking system. While showing his tenderness and care for little children Jesus is teaching us in today's gospel to accept the Kingdom with a child-like openness. We must rediscover within us the capacity to trust and to receive, removing so many defense mechanisms, putting aside our wisdom and self-sufficiency. In front of God we are actually defenseless children, why pretend to be otherwise?