Today we hear the exciting episode where children are brought to Jesus “that he might touch them.” The disciples rebuke the parents; Jesus rebukes the disciples. He takes the little ones into his arms, blesses them, and issues a stern warning to his closest friends: “If you do not receive the kingdom of God like a child, you will not enter it.” The episode is crucial for every one of us in the church today.
Two words from the incident rise above the rest: kingdom and children. Kingdom rings hollow in our ears, gives off bad vibes. And still the word kingdom is critical for a Christian. Not simply because the gospels use “kingdom” 107 times; more importantly, because it is the gospel in a nutshell. It sums up what Jesus proclaimed. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.”
Jesus preferred to speak of the kingdom in parables. He preached the kingdom after the fashion of the prophets and psalmists, and perhaps Pope Francis learned from Jesus: God personally, graciously, lovingly breaking into history and destroying the sovereignty of Satan. Somewhat simplistically perhaps, to enter the kingdom is to be “saved.”
But to whom does the kingdom belong? Who enter it? Who, in a word, are “saved?” Jesus’ answer is astonishing: “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” To the minors in human society. To those not old enough to say yes or no to the kingdom. “Let the children come to me.”
What childlike qualities should characterize candidates for the kingdom? Well, little children are refreshingly fresh, not jaded by the years. They are delighted to be surprised. And – very pertinent today – the little ones can only respond spontaneously to love and affection. It is to recapture – but now in adult fashion – the openness and receptivity and utter dependence that called out to a compassionate Christ, that made him see in children what he wants to see in all his disciples.
In your life and mine, one quality is indispensable: we have to become like children before God. My low moments in ministry? When I took first place, and Christ retreated to second. When I imagined that I was changing minds and hearts, and forgot Jesus’ clear directive: “Apart from me you can do nothing.” Whether feeding faith or struggling for justice, the most important aspect of life is a childlike receptivity. It is always God who takes the initiative in salvation.
If you would enter the kingdom of God and help others enter, if you want to play Christian and not God, disciple and not master, “hold a child to your heart.” Come, Molly. Come, Krisha. Come, Hazel. Bring your parents and godparents with you.
Paul A. Magnano
Pastor