People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16
I have been brokenhearted by images of children being separated from their parents during recent ICE raids. I am outraged when we tear any child from any parent. I spent a good deal of my young life teaching Sunday School, babysitting and working in a nursery with two year olds. Their working class, hard-working parents in the 1970s had no choice but to have us take care of them during work hours. But the delight they demonstrated when picked up each afternoon was astounding. And the terror they felt when a parent didn't show was horrifying. Jesus says that God's kingdom belongs to the children, and we are to care for them as such. We are also to behave with the kind of love, sincerity and wonder that children display.
Gracious Creator, you made us small and vulnerable
so when we grow up, we might understand the weak
the outcast and the homeless with great compassion
and live our lives for the care of these precious children.
Yet we take our strength and power as our right
and wield authority as if it cannot be taken away
we forget about those who you called us to love
and refuse to care for the vulnerable in our lives.
Lord Jesus, make us childlike and compassionate again
give us the eyes and the hearts of little children
who live to embrace the new day and loving family
and make us care for the needy and vulnerable again. Amen.
