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Manila Bulletin

Opinion

Let the children come to me

Opinion

Let the children come to me

By Manila Bulletin

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Jesus rebukes his own disciples for preventing those who bring children to him. He receives those who are humble and weak but rejects the arrogant and the proud.

In poor communities in Jesus’ time, many children did not make it to their 12th birthday.

Parents loved their children but also knew they were powerless on their own to ensure the quality and quantity of their life, let alone do something as lofty as bringing them into the Kingdom.

The parents wanted their children to be close to and blessed by Jesus.

Children are powerless and dependent on their parents. Children accept and submit to someone greater than them. Children are loved, cared for, trained, encouraged, but they have no power, status, or authority beyond their identification with their parents. Children have nothing to give and everything to receive.

Through the children, Jesus calls us to be dependent on our Father in heaven.

Gospel • Matthew 19:13-15

Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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REFLECTIONS 365 Days with the Lord

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