Readings:
Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13b, 30-32
Matthew 19:13-15
Reflection:
Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
The words of Jesus in this well-loved Gospel verse are very relevant in today’s world in which individuals seek autonomy, independence and self-fulfilment. The Gospel message is that no one is ever-self-sufficient, but above all in relation to the Kingdom, we are always in need of God’s grace. It is worth reflecting today on the beauty of childhood and children’s relationship with God.
In 2015 Catholic Education South Australia issued a profound reflection on children, Children: Close to the Mystery of God. It stated that children ‘are the ones most receptive to the gift of God’ and in ‘their openness and trust, they offer us a glimpse of what it is to be open to God’ (p6). We see the grace of God at work in their sense of wonder at the beauty of nature; we see it in their enquiring minds; we see it when they are at play, exploring their imagination; we see it in their uncomplicated affection and trust; and we see it in their sometimes surprising inclusion and care of others.
So, the love of God experienced in childhood is something we can never completely leave behind. In fact, we must overcome the adult temptation of self-sufficiency and embrace our spiritual inner child. Pope Francis put it this way in 2015:
Children are in and of themselves a treasure for humanity and also for the Church, for they constantly evoke that necessary condition for entering the Kingdom of God: that of not considering ourselves self-sufficient, but in need of help, of love, of forgiveness. … Children remind us of another beautiful thing: they remind us that we are always sons and daughters. Even if one becomes an adult, or an elderly person, even if one becomes a parent, if one occupies a position of responsibility, underneath all of this is still the identity of a child. We are all sons and daughters.
John McGrath is a parishioner of St Brigid’s Marrickville.