As A Little Child

Jesus left that place and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan. And crowds again gathered around him; and, as was his custom, he again taught them. Some Pharisees came, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” 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 10:1-16

Loving Creator, you have made us your children

tenderly caring for us and teaching us your ways

calling us to compassion and to selfless service

strengthening us for each new day that breaks.

We often live by our own rules, not yours

making laws that excuse our daily excesses

while acting as if we are blameless and true

yet you see all that we do and weep for us.

You have given us hearts of tenderness

yet we harden them and close our ears to pain

we only want for our comfort and satisfaction

neglecting the most vulnerable in our midst.

Creator, give us new hearts of compassion

let us embrace the stranger as our children

help us to hear and see the needs before us

and welcome the outcasts for your sake. Amen.