Let the Little Children Come to Me

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 know us as children

you watch us as we grow and lead us

helping us care for the least among us

making us care for all of your creation.

We often make promises we do not keep

and sign treaties we do not plan to employ

we do too much for gain, nothing for compassion

yet you call us to honor all of the lives given.

You were tested by Pharisees and disciples

everyone wanted rules to catch others with

yet you saw through all of their games

and called them to be like little children.

Help us to be vulnerable, humble and kind

let us be childlike in curiosity and care

help us to embrace every day and moment

and help us forgive and love as you do. Amen.