Saturday: 19^th Week in Ordinary Time-B

I Reading: Joshua 24:14-29: Choose today whom you wishes to serve.

Gospel: Matthew 19:13-15: Do not stop the little children coming to me: for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.

The Acceptance of Children, Mt 19:13-15

Children are very dear to God. People in Jesus’ day considered children to be insignificant and unimportant. Children are as important as any other persons to God. They should not be disregarded or discouraged from coming to God. They are to be welcomed and accepted with open arms.

1. Children were brought for Jesus to touch and pray for (v.13)

2. Parents cared and believed: Brought their children to Jesus (v.13)

3. The disciples rebuked the parents: They felt that Jesus was too busy and that the children are too unimportant (v.13)

4. Jesus rebuked those who disregarded the children (v.14-15)

a. He received the children

b. He said the kingdom of heaven belonged to children

c. He touched the children

Thought: Life is given by God, so children belong to God. Children should be presented to God as “living sacrifices” for His care and purposes (Rom 12:1-2).

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