Twenty-seventh Ordinary

Mark 10: 13 – 14

The people brought children to Jesus, hoping that he might bless them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: “Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very centre of life in the kingdom.

I find Jesus’ pronouncement that the kingdom of God belongs to children both reassuring and frightening. It’s reassuring to think that less-than-perfect people, like you and me, will inherit heaven, those of us who are both adorable and infuriating, who whine, complain, dawdle, disobey, sass, and deceive, and who cuddle, cajole, trust, tease, laugh, love, console, and forgive over and over again. In other words, those with kind hearts, nasty tempers, and runny noses are all welcome at the table.

The part I find frightening is spending eternity with a bunch of young children! I don’t think I have the stamina for that anymore. Pandemonium and chaos are all I envision. But I know the fear I’m feeling is exactly what Jesus is addressing in his command to let the children come to him. “Let go of the need to control,” is Jesus’ message to his disciples, then and now. “Don’t worry about the mess and confusion that comes with allowing other people – different and unpredictable people – into your life. You will be embraced and blessed beyond your wildest imagination.”

As for the mess? I guess Jesus is offering the same advice any seasoned parent would: Don’t worry, after a while you won’t even notice it!