Hold close the simplicity and love of a child.

Matthew 19:13-22

          You'd think the disciples would know. I mean, Jesus' inner circle, the elite, the chosen ones, shouldn't they know that Jesus would more than welcome the children?

          It's another case of bad assumptions on their part and as well as ours. Children are children, honest and open and capable of saying the most disarmingly honest things. I recall watching Art Linkletter years ago and it was always entertaining. Certainly children have not reached the age of reason.  Based on the immaturity of these wee ones, it would seem quite reasonable for the disciples to speak sternly to those trying to bring the children to Jesus. I suppose it would almost like bringing women to Jesus, virtually nothing in the eyes of the law, chattel, possessions, sold into marriage. Why, even children could be sold into slavery according to Levitical law.

          So it's not a bad assumption that Jesus would not want children around him. But the 'least' become the most important and Jesus' message and love is open to all.

        As for our part, we may view children differently than they did in Biblical times but do we grasp the import of welcoming the children?  Again, Jesus is welcoming those who are simplistic, honest, who see love in a smile, a box or a pile of dirt. They offer dandelions as bouquets and hugs as big as the universe. Children may not be able to quote a proper 'reasoning' why gays are 'intrinsically disordered' or why non Roman Catholics cannot receive communion in a Roman Catholic church but the understand the truly important stuff.

       It is my view that the truly important stuff is self evident. God made the world for us to see and so that we could see him as we look out around ourselves. No circular logic, treatises or rules required except for those two great commandments. The simplicity of a child is not only welcome, it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.

       So when we see a dandelion or a rose, or  sunset or a waterfall, we see God. As simple as a child. And when we see someone ( like a child ) that we think may may not be fully cable or worthy of God's love or presence, take a deep breath because they are the ones Jesus wishes to hold closest and welcomes them for their honestly, simplicity and love.

        The other night we babysat for one of our grandsons. He knows he is loved as evidenced by the huge beaming smiles and the bright wide blue eyes. (  common traits of our grandsons ). Does this little one know how intrinsically disordered we are?  Are we? Or is all that matters the love that is exchanged, the bond of genuine love and support for our family. It seems to me if Jesus were in the room ( and I believe he was ), he was beaming too.

Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’ And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.

Then someone came to him and said, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ones?’ And Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honour your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘I have kept all these; what do I still lack?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.