13 Some people brought children to Jesus so that he would place his hands on them and pray. But the disciples scolded them. 14 “Allow the children to come to me,” Jesus said. “Don’t forbid them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these children.” 15 Then he blessed the children and went away from there.
Reflection
You can tell a lot about someone by the way that they interact with children.
Some people have a tendency to treat children as a distraction, even a nuisance. They don’t take time to listen to kids’ stories, or to explain themselves clearly when kids ask questions. When children don’t do as they are told, these types quickly lose patience and become annoyed.
Even worse, some people just ignore children altogether and act as though they don’t exist.
Jesus’ disciples seemed to be of the mind that their Teacher had more important things to do than to spend time talking to kids. They wanted these pesky children to go away, and to leave Jesus to attend to the more important, grown-up conversations.
About 25 or so years ago, while preaching on a Sunday morning, I had an experience that I can still picture like it was yesterday. There was a young boy, maybe 10 years old, sitting in the front pew. He hadn’t grown up in the church, so sermons were still kind of a foreign thing to him. But he was clearly interested in what we were discussing. He was leaning in and listening hard. When I made one of my points, I saw a brief, troubled look pass over his face. Clearly I’d said something that confused him. So what does a kid do when they have a question? He put his hand up! It surprised me, for sure, but I decided that what the moment required was for me to pause and take his question. I don’t remember what he asked, but I’ll never forget that moment. And I’d be willing to be that he hasn’t either!
Now, imagine for a second what it might have looked like for me to handle that moment in a different way – by ignoring, chastising, or ridiculing him. I can 100% guarantee he would have remembered that, too!
I’ve had enough faith conversations to know one thing for sure: the experiences we have in church as children stick with us – for good and for ill. Our words and actions leave impressions on young minds that follow us well into adulthood.
What’s important for us to remember is this: our interactions with kids in these formative years convey something not only about who the Church is, but even more importantly, about who God is. If adults who represent the Church are kind, gracious, and loving, then kids will naturally grow up believing that God is kind, gracious, and loving. But if their questions are met with impatience, annoyance, and the general sense that they’re a nuisance – they’ll remember that too!
When it comes to raising up children in the Church, let’s be sure to follow the right example. Learn from Jesus, and not the disciples!
by Joe Monahan
For Pondering and Prayer
What are some of your formational memories of Church and faith? How did they shape your understanding of God?
Prayer: Lord, help us to be welcoming, gracious, hospitable, and patient with all the children in our lives. Remind us always of what Jesus said – that the kin(g)dom belongs to them. May our words and actions help and not hinder their relationship with God. Amen.
