Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 19, 13-15
Children were brought to Jesus
that he might lay his hands on them and pray.
The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said,
“Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them;
for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
After he placed his hands on them, he went away.
Being like children
1. Lay his hands on them. How important this sign is for Christians! It appears in all the sacraments, and very strongly in baptism, confirmation and holy orders. It implies the infusion of the Holy Spirit, so you know that the power of the Spirit comes to you and dwells in you. When you go to Mass you can see the priest laying his hands on the bread and wine so that they become the Body and Blood of Christ; it is amazing! Today ask for the strength of the Holy Spirit, especially if you feel that you’ve fallen, because the strength of the Holy Spirit inhabits you from the moment of your baptism.
2. Do not prevent them. This is the command Jesus continues to give us. You and I, who are involved in the things of God, mustn’t prevent people from encountering Christ. Many people need Jesus, and we cannot forbid anyone from approaching him. Let everyone come to Jesus, including those who don’t think like you or don’t live like you, because they’re looking for him and Jesus wants to reach them all.
3. The Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is for those who seek it with simplicity and humility, for those who have no greed or quest for power. There is a positive and a negative trait in people when they get involved in the things of God: charisma and power. Jesus reminds you that, being like children, your charisma is to give yourself to others just as you are and with what you are. But when you stop being like a child, you might use your charisma to achieve power, and this can be seen not only in the Church, but in politics, in your workplace, at home… What is your charisma and where is your quest for power leading you?
Remember that something good is on the way!
God bless you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
