Let the children come to me

By way of contrast, Mark puts the incident of Jesus blessing the children after Jesus pointed out the people’s “hardness of heart” as the reason for Moses to permit divorce. The Greek paidia (children, minors) refers not only to those young in age; they also represent mature people who are humble, simple, and “untaught.” These are open to be led by God, to listen to the teachings of Jesus. The children do not earn and have no privilege in Jewish society except as recipients of gifts from their elders. Jesus presents them as “model recipients” of God’s Kingdom which is given to the humble ones as pure and unmerited grace. Anyone who would like to receive God’s gift of the Kingdom must remain innocent and humble like the children. God cares so much for children.

In turn, Jesus embraces them and blesses them, placing his hands on them like a protective roof over them. The disciples should therefore welcome them and protect them.

Pope Francis laments the scandals inflicted on the children, the “crimes that inflict deep wounds of pain and powerlessness, primarily among the victims, but also in their family members and in the larger community of believers and nonbelievers alike... The pain of the victims and their families is also our pain, and so it is urgent that we once more reaffirm our commitment to ensure the protection of minors and of vulnerable adults” (Letter to the People of God, 20 August 2018).

First Reading • Jas 5:13-20

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.

My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you should stray from the truth and someone bring him back, he should know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Gospel • Mark 10:13-16

People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 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 them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.