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 the children and blessed them,
placing his hands on 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 the children and blessed them,
placing his hands on them.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI remember specifically one time when I was in church, in 2nd grade. Our school at that time was quite large, and we had a choir that had almost 60 students who would really belt out church hymns and songs. It was during the season of Advent, and we were singing Hark the Herald Angels Sing. I remember just singing my heart out, and being so incredibly HAPPY...it felt like I was at the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing...that God was really present and alive, and loved me. Being surrounded by my friends, my favorite teacher in grade school, and being in one of my favorite places, in an instant my faith became solidified. I felt like I just didn't believe with my mind, but with my whole entire being.
ReplyDeleteFaith like a child...that feeling of what I got in 2nd grade...that's what I sometimes feel I desperately want back. In the process of growing up, there have been a lot of roadblocks for me personally in my faith. My parents losing their faith for a long time in college, being in a secular college for 4 years, questioning my faith when friendships or other hardships fell off...so many things that allow us to grow as adults can make us become jaded and hardened to Christ. It certainly shook me and made me reflect on my faith, and if it was taking me in the directions I wanted to go.
As time goes on, God has held my hand and led me back into His grace...what with finding a faith group in college, my teaching career in Catholic schools, being surrounded again by young faithful people, and being in a relationship with someone who I feel makes me feel closer to God...it has become easier to let go of all these barriers that have been set up. In order to have faith like a child, I have to remember how jaded life has been, see what blessings I have now despite all of that, and just thank God that these blessings can bring me closer to Him. Life can try to bring us down...but when we accept Christ in our life fully, He will always embrace, bless, and place His hands on us.