Read Online
Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them
and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, “Let the
children come to me, and do not prevent them…” Matthew
19:13–14
In the Catechism of the Council of Trent, which was
promulgated by Pope Saint Pius V, this passage is linked with
infant baptism. It states, “Besides, it is not to be supposed that
Christ the Lord would have withheld the Sacrament and grace of
Baptism from children, of whom He said: Suffer the little children,
and forbid them not to come to me…” (II, 2, 32). This teaching
clearly indicates one of the best ways that this passage is
fulfilled today. Inviting even infants before they reach the age of
reason to receive the Sacrament of Baptism fulfills this loving
command of Jesus to “Let the children come to me…”
Young children do not have the ability to rationally understand
love in its purest form. That comes with the age of reason, which
has traditionally been understood to be around the age of seven.
But children, and even infants, are capable of receiving our love
and are capable of receiving the love of God, even if they do not
yet fully comprehend this gift.
As a child grows, they learn what love means as they witness it and
experience it, especially through the mediation of their parents.
This helps form their consciences in such a way that they become
capable of making their own free choice to love as they mature in
age. But if a child is to grow into a loving adult, they need more
than just a good example, they need grace. The grace of Baptism is
the primary source of that grace in their lives.
It’s easy for many to see Baptism only as a nice ceremony to
welcome the newly born child into God’s family. And though that is
true, it is so much more. The Catechism of the Catholic
Church states that Baptism bestows an indelible mark which
“remains for ever in the Christian as a positive disposition for
grace, a promise and guarantee of divine protection, and as a
vocation to divine worship and to the service of the Church”
(CCC #1121). In other words, Baptism bestows upon one’s soul
a gift that can never be removed and becomes an ongoing source of
grace. And when an infant is baptized, it’s as if this Scripture
passage above is perpetuated throughout that person’s life. Because
of this sacramental grace, Jesus continually says to this baptized
soul, “Come to Me.”
In addition to the grace of Baptism, we must all imitate Jesus’
action of welcome and acceptance of not only children but of every
child of God. Though the disciples initially tried to prevent the
children from coming to our Lord, we must not. We must understand
that there is a real temptation within our fallen human nature to
both withhold the love of God from others and to even prevent
others from coming to God. Anger, pride, envy, jealousy and the
like can cause us to object to the conversion of others and to God
welcoming them to Himself. When that temptation sets in, we must
hear Jesus say to us, “Let the children come to me” and “do not
prevent them.”
Reflect, today, upon these gentle and inviting words of Jesus. As
you do, try to call to mind anyone who you might try to prevent
from coming to our Lord. Do you desire the holiness of all people?
Is there anyone in your life whom you find it difficult to
encourage to come to Jesus to be embraced and blessed? Take on the
heart of Jesus and see it as your duty to embrace others as He
embraced these children. The more you become an instrument of the
love of Christ, the more you will daily rejoice in God’s blessings
as they are bestowed on others.
My tender Lord, You welcome all people to share in Your grace.
You welcome every child and every child of God to share in Your
loving embrace. Please extend that welcome to me and help me to
accept this gift of Your infinite love. And help me to become a
better instrument of Your love toward others, never interfering or
preventing them from turning to You. Jesus, I trust in
You.
Source of content:
catholic-daily-reflections.com
Copyright 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved.
Used with permission via RSS feed.
Featured image above: Christ Blessing Little Children
By Charles Lock Eastlake, via Wikimedia Commons
Kommentare (0)
Melde dich an, um einen Kommentar zu schreiben.