Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Matthew 19: 13-15
August 16, 2025 | 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 passage or section before the death and burial of Joshua describes the renewal of the covenant presided over by Joshua through question-and-answer of the position of the Lord and the answer of the people by affirming their allegiance with the Lord. It is concentrated on the warning of disaster if unfaithful to the Lord and blessings if they are faithful to the Lord. Failure to observe the covenant will bring destruction to the people, especially worshipping idols and other gods of the neighboring tribes or people, for God is a “jealous God.” Observing the covenant will bring prosperity and blessing from the Lord. Their enthusiastic reply brings a kind of prescience of the warning of the disaster to come because of their infidelity. There is a stern warning from Joshua of what the consequences are if they become subservient to other gods. Each tribe should heed as they return to their territories for the renewal of the covenant, which will be inscribed in stones (which are no longer there today) as their witness. This warning and precaution should be inscribed in every tribe and people’s hearts.

The short periscope of the gospel passage will be summarized as cautionary counsel to the disciples “Do not stop the little children coming to me” from Jesus. The center of the saying is to set an example for the rest of the disciples to “become like little children.” Jesus rebukes His disciples for turning away the children. Jesus then focuses, unlike Mark, on “blessing the children.” As we have shared already, children have no status in Jewish society. As if they are “nobody.” But the passage surmises that Matthew wanted the children to become part of the assembly, or does he intend for those who are child-like in innocence only to be welcome in the assembly of Jesus? The answer could be both. Since children have no claim on the kingdom, it was given as a gift for them. It echoes a beatitude: “Blessed are pure of heart, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The segment immediately follows the discourse on marriage. In this sequence, Matthew also emphasizes that children are not obstacles and burdens in serving the Lord; people or couples now regulate their number, even to the extent of not having children. For our Lord, children are blessings from God and should be welcome as members of the family, community, and society.

/Vulnerasti, 2025