Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Mt 19: 13-15
August 19, 2023 | Saturday

Today’s Gospel

Then little children were brought to Jesus, that he might lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded those who brought them. Jesus then said, “Let the children be! Don’t hinder them from coming to me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are humble, like these children.” Jesus laid his hands on them and went away.

Today’s Reflection:

The unfortunate incidents of clerical abuse of minors have deeply scarred the Church. Though there have been protocols deployed to stop erring members of the clergy to commit such atrocities to the “children” of God, the lesson of this chapter in the life of God’s people directs us to the message of Jesus in the gospel today. We should not be a hindrance to the children who come to God. The clergy and the religious should not be a hindrance, or, as in the original Greek for it, be a “skandalon” (scandal) to the little ones. If we want to be our children’s ways and guidance to become closer to God, we should strive had to guide them and teach them the ways of Christ while giving them the protection they need along this path.  ./Vulnerasti, 2023