Receiving a child in Jesus name

Walking up the third flight of stairs wearing alb and stole and carrying the aspersorium with the holy water and sprinkler should have been exhausting, but the joy of blessing the girls and classrooms of one of the schools attached to the parish made it seem like floating on air.

Later that first week of the new school year, I did the same for the boy’s school. They are part of my new parish and together serve over 800 children, under the age of 13 years. The following week, I served at their respective services, in the church, as part of the ceremonies marking the start of a new school year.

As I read this week’s Gospel Mark 9: 30-39 ‘And (Jesus) taking a child in his arms, he said to them, Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me’, I remembered standing at the front of the church during the recessional hymn, and being overwhelmed with happiness as small groups of students would spontaneously come up and give me a hug.

There is an innocence of childhood. And Jesus was telling his disciples that to be great in the kingdom of God, one had to adopt that innocence. Over the centuries theologians have reflected on Jesus’ teaching. Almost unanimously they have taught that Jesus was contrasting the disciple’s desire for worldly greatness with the beatitude of poverty in spirit that is exemplified by the innocence and humility of a child.

Often as we grow into our adult life we lose this childhood innocence. We adopt worldly desires of our ego seeking power and wealth. The disciples demonstrated this when they argued with one another who was the greatest. St Paul describes this persona as the ‘old self’ that the new self ‘a life in the Spirit’ is a return to childhood innocence and humility.

Carl Jung, the pioneering psychologist, speaks of the Divine Child archetype, that is within each of us. An archetype of innocence, purity and redemption. He theorized that psychological development is a regaining of the ‘Divine Child’ as our true Self.

Often, we think of blessings in terms of worldly success. Yet, the deeper, more lasting blessedness Jesus offers us, is found in a relationship with Him through innocence and humility. When we open ourselves to Him, we experience peace, joy, and a sense of purpose. This is especially true in times of difficulty, when following God’s will often leads us through challenges, but ultimately to growth, grace and joy.

Today, many children are abused. Jesus is also telling us that we have an obligation to protect their innocence. As Christians, we are called to create environments where children feel safe, loved, and valued. Just as Jesus embraced the child in their midst, we too must embrace and safeguard their dignity, ensuring they grow in an atmosphere of innocence, care and compassion.

NOTICE BOARD

Last evening I gave a Zoom Presentation on Life Transitions to a Christian Meditation group of Canadians. It was a wonderful experience. I highlight my Life Transitions program below, for interested persons.

Life Transitions Program Link