Saturday, February 26, 2022

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 Today's Gospel (Mk 10:13-16) tells us Jesus was “indignant” with His disciples for rebuking people who brought Him children to bless: “'Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ...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.” The Kingdom of God belongs to those with childlike hearts – hearts that trust, that are drawn to goodness, kindness; to compassion and mercy when they've done wrong. Jesus was all these things for them; He is all these things for us – the loving-kindness, compassion and mercy of God. We want our children and families to know Him; would that the whole world come to know Him!

Telling the whole world about Jesus is the heart of our Christian calling: the great commission to go out and teach the Good News. It starts with our children and families, neighbours and communities. The Letter of James (Jas 5:13-20) tells us to do this by singing God's praises when we feel joyful, to pray when there is sickness, to call in the presbyters (priests) to anoint with oil and pray to raise up the sick and bring them forgiveness of sins. James tells us that a righteous person's prayers are “powerful”, that we save our souls and “cover a multitude of sins” when we bring believers who have strayed back to the truth. All these things are part of Kingdom living that begins with childlike hearts that receive and share the Good News of Jesus.

David had this kind of childlike heart. He learned through hardship and personal sin to depend not on his own strengths or intelligence, but to rely completely on God for everything, even his words. In Psalm 141, he humbly asks God to keep him from speaking whatever is displeasing to Him: “O LORD, set a watch before my mouth, a guard at the door of my lips. For toward you, O God, my LORD, my eyes are turned; in you I take refuge; strip me not of life.” David reigned as king with a childlike heart. How many souls were led to embrace the truth of God's goodness by his leadership, his righteous actions, words and psalms of worship.

God my Father, awaken the child's heart You placed within me, that I may welcome and live for Your Kingdom more and more each day. Use me to share the Good News of Christ's Gospel in my home and wherever Your grace leads me. Grant me greater confidence in Your power to heal and restore the sick and suffering, the humility to confess my sin, readiness to sing Your praises, the wisdom and courage to speak the truth to those who stray – You Who reign forever and ever. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

Link to Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022622.cfm

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