Restart: Compassion and JusticeSample

CHILDREN

In Jesus’ day, the practice of bringing children to be blessed by well-respected teachers was common. Jesus’ reputation as an excellent teacher had spread, so parents flocked to him with their children. Yet the disciples viewed this practice as an unwelcome disruption. Jesus was too important to be bothered, they felt. Jesus, however, rebuked their attitude. He was never too busy to welcome those others might overlook. Note what he told his disciples, “People who are like these children belong to God’s kingdom” (Matthew 19:14b).

Many adults have the “children should be seen and not heard” mentality when it comes to children. Like the disciples, they consider children a nuisance rather than a blessing. But Jesus modeled grace and love.

How do your recent actions reflect your attitude toward children? If you had been present during the incident recorded in the Gospel according to Matthew, how would you have responded to Jesus’ disciples?

You don’t have to have children of your own in order to pray for a child. Pray for the children of relatives, friends, and those in your community. Also, consider how you can help children in need in various parts of the world. Pray: Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of children: their singing, laughter, enthusiasm, energy, loyalty, and love.