Children

Finding the space between distraction and the heart of it all.

Do you suppose there was ever a time when Jesus would dismiss the children? Are there contexts or scenarios in which he would separate them out?

It seems reasonable that if a topic were of a particular sensitivity, he would, right? Were there children at the Last Supper? We can’t say for sure. Were there children at the cross? Perhaps. (!) In the post-resurrection appearances? It’s not impossible.

Why ask these questions?

Because in today’s passage Jesus makes it clear just how integral children are to the kingdom. Yet so much of the Church’s existence and practice still yet separates out the children in certain contexts, not always for their own benefit (though this is sometimes true), but so that they will not be a distraction to the greater thing that’s happening.

Liturgy, ceremony, deep discussion…these are often guarded from the interruptions or slower pace children bring. Maybe this is an okay thing every once in a while, in the right context.

Sometimes that separation may be appropriate. But Jesus’ words here - become like this little child - press us to consider whether the “distraction” is actually attached to the point. Maybe the presence of children, in all their unpredictability, is essential to the Church’s worship, discipleship, and service.

Matthew 18:1-14

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Then he called a little child over to sit among the disciples, and said, “I assure you that if you don’t turn your lives around and become like this little child, you will definitely not enter the kingdom of heaven. Those who humble themselves like this little child will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

“As for whoever causes these little ones who believe in me to trip and fall into sin, it would be better for them to have a huge stone hung around their necks and be drowned in the bottom of the lake. How terrible it is for the world because of the things that cause people to trip and fall into sin! Such things have to happen, but how terrible it is for the person who causes those things to happen! If your hand or your foot causes you to fall into sin, chop it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter into life crippled or lame than to be thrown into the eternal fire with two hands or two feet. If your eye causes you to fall into sin, tear it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter into life with one eye than to be cast into a burning hell with two eyes.

“Be careful that you don’t look down on one of these little ones. I say to you that their angels in heaven are always looking into the face of my Father who is in heaven. What do you think? If someone had one hundred sheep and one of them wandered off, wouldn’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hillsides and go in search for the one that wandered off? If he finds it, I assure you that he is happier about having that one sheep than about the ninety-nine who didn’t wander off. In the same way, my Father who is in heaven doesn’t want to lose one of these little ones.

Psalm 131

Lord, my heart isn’t proud; my eyes aren’t conceited. I don’t get involved with things too great or wonderful for me. No. But I have calmed and quieted myself like a weaned child on its mother; I’m like the weaned child that is with me.

Israel, wait for the Lord—from now until forever from now!

Prayer (adapted from St. Thérèse of Lisieux)

God,

I choose all!
I do not wish to be a saint by halves.
I am not afraid to suffer for you.
I fear only one thing: to keep my own will.

So take it, for I choose all that you will.
I will not grow up in pride,
but remain as a little child,
small in my own eyes,
content in the arms of my Father.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.