Let the Children
Come to Me
Beloved: Is anyone among you suffering?
He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing a song
of praise. Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the
presbyters of the Church, and they should pray over him and
anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will
save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has
committed any sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to
one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The
fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. Elijah was a man
like us; yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and for
three years and six months it did not rain upon the land. Then Elijah
prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit. James 5:13-18
When Jesus saw this, he became indignant and
said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them,
for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you,
whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter
it." Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing
his hands on them.
Mark 10:14-16
Piety
“Fathers and mothers
of families should bring up their Children virtuously, looking at
them rather as God’s children.” St. Philip Neri
Study
Never get between
anyone and their prayers to God be that the suffering, the sick, the healthy,
or the child. In less than five verses
of the first reading, the word “pray” or “prayer” is used eight times.
Children did not have as favored a place in ancient
Palestine as they do in modern culture.
The child was not just
representing themselves. The child
represents someone who has total reliance on others. They do not work. They have no money. They have no power in society. When they approach Jesus, they symbolize people
who are in total dependence upon and obedience
to the gospel.
Action
“Today, we celebrate St. Philip Neri who is honored for
his deep spirituality, as well as his good humor/joyful personality. He
attracted people from every level of society because he was pleasant to be
around. That is a good “saintly” quality for us as well—be happy in the Lord.”
(Most Reverend Paul J Bradley, Bishop of Kalamazoo)
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