One Such Child

They went on from there and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.” Mark 9:30-41

Loving Creator you know us each by name

and call us all to be your beloved children

when we run and hide and when we rebel

you are always there to bring us back home.

The world is a violent and broken place

We close our eyes to hide the troubles

yet we find you in the hardest places

and in the dark, traumas of our times.

We want to hide from these scary times

yet you placed a child among your friends

and called them to live and serve as a child

despite the impending torture ahead for you.

Let us not be scheming but rather servants

make us gentle, simple and unafraid

in the face of darkness let us carry light

make us the instruments of your peace. Amen.