The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him. — Psalm 103:(see 17)

Mass Readings: Sirach 17:1-15 / Mark 10:13-16

Kids of the Kingdom 

The proverb “children should be seen and not heard” might well have been written for ancient Jewish society! Although that culture loved and valued children, under Jewish law, children enjoyed no rights or privileges; they were “nobodies” — and at the mercy of those more powerful than they. 

Anticipating a political kingdom, the disciples, in today’s Gospel, were not inclined to waste their Master’s time on people who were not politically powerful or influential — and children definitely fell into this category. But Jesus not only had time for these little ones, He insisted that “the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Those who “qualify” to enter God’s kingdom are those who recognize that they have no “rights” and rely, instead, on God’s grace. 

Prayer: Lord, teach me to nurture a child-like dependence on You.