” But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’”
Mark 10:14-15
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Part of Diaconal ministry is building a bridge between the church and World. There is no way that this can happen without building genuine and honest relationships through conversations, acts of kindness and care. I recently had a genuine conversation with a Mum who attends Stay and Play about how Easter was for her and her family, she said: “my son gave me a small Bible (New Testament Psalms &Proverbs) that he got from school, and I got very interested in it, I found it somehow confusing, however very interesting and I will continue to read it.” Another new friend said to me: “I still remember my first Christian booklet I received from Sunday School thirty years ago, and I still have it.”
This conversation reminded me of how ‘taking childhood Spirituality seriously’ is of profound importance, just as Jesus reminded his disciples: “…Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” Jesus didn’t give His disciples an age limit, nor a specific behaviour or a background to welcome, He simply welcomed all. After this, Jesus reversed his statement towards His disciples and to all His followers: “Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” Playing with and being around little children has been a truly gift that I dearly cherish. Seeing how innocent, pure and honest they are, is deeply heart-warming!
The fact is there are children within and all around us and the way we accept and see them matters. These children can be of our friends, relatives, extended family or neighbours or ourselves. Patiently and genuinely welcoming them as they are, as well as planting those small seeds will truly bear good fruits. Ultimately, it’s all about helping others to discover Jesus’ love for all, according to how and when the Holy Spirit uses the Godly’ resources we share with them. This might never happen the way we anticipate, not even on our timescales but according to God’s way and his divine timing. Perhaps the calling of each one of us is to faithfully plant as many of those small seeds as possible, at every possible opportunity, and to patiently tune in to how the Holy Spirit is doing in and through us and others.
May God bless, sustain, empower and encourage all parents, grand-parents, child minders, Good News for everyone representatives, messy church and projects leaders, aunts, uncles, carers, guardians, teachers, volunteers and anyone is contact with our little children, as they plant the small seeds of God’s love for all, in the name of God, the Father, the son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.