Saturday, May 21, 2005
7th Week in Ordinary Time

1st Reading: Sir 17:1-15
Gospel: Mark 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

THE crowd brings their children to Jesus to have him bless them and touch them but the disciples are pushing them away-children are not important. They are trying to choose who gets Jesus' undivided attention and Jesus is annoyed at his disciples' lack of care and attention to all in that society who were considered useless, like slaves and children. Jesus rarely is angry, but he's angry at his disciples' lack of awareness of who is beloved of God. He sets the children up as a standard, appalling the disciples, telling them to watch the children and to learn to receive the kingdom like a child lives-vulnerable, open, dependent on others, needing to trust for their very survival, welcoming anyone. Jesus blesses them and lays hands on them, touching them with intimacy and acceptance and pure love. We would learn much from Jesus and instead of requiring children to go to school, allowing to know acceptance, blessing and singled out status within our churches.

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