08-17-21

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
August 17, 2021
Scripture: Mark 10:13-14
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.”

Thought for the Day: During my Sabbatical, I have spoken to a number of clergy about Faith Formation, and one spoke of how Jesus was always placing his concern for the vulnerable above all else. Among the vulnerable, were the children. With that in mind, the church leadership asks the question in regard to almost every decision made, “And how will this impact our children and their understanding of God’s love?” So often, whether obvious or not, our decisions reflect the actions of the disciples who spoke sternly against those bringing children to Jesus. We might give lip service to the importance of children, but do we really make a way for them to come to Jesus. This has challenged me to thing just a bit differently about how I process our mission: Assisting individuals and families in living the love first life. The word ‘families’ implies children, and so in setting goals and objectives in regard to our mission, we must take very seriously how decisions are going to impact the children. Are we doing what is easy for the church or are we doing what will most dramatically influence the faith formation of our youngest members?

Prayer: Let us always consider the most vulnerable among us. Holy One of the Universe, your heart desires for the young and the voiceless to be brought to the forefront of all decisions. Let us do more than teach a curriculum about Jesus to our children, but to think creatively in how we bring them into the loving presence of Jesus. Amen.

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