This week’s gospel might simultaneously make us uncomfortable and be comforting. Many Bibles include a heading before this gospel reading (Mark 10:13-16) that says something like “Blessing the Children” or “Jesus Welcomes the Children.” In reading such a heading, we might begin to imagine a sentimental scene in which Jesus is surrounded by cute, adorable children. However, we cannot view the scene from Mark’s gospel with only our modern understanding of the role and place of children in society. In ancient times, children often were treated like property and had few protections. Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples who are fending off the children should challenge us as well. As we send children back to school with blessed backpacks, Deacon Bri invites us to consider the hard questions posed by this beloved story: What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God as a child does? As Christ’s church, do we provide a place of welcome and care for the most vulnerable and weak in our society?
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