enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and, laying his hands on them, blessed them.

Reflection:

Why did the disciples block the children from going to Jesus?
Mark does not tell us the reasons. But we can interpolate from
our contexts (because human beings behave essentially the
same way, despite differences in space and time). Perhaps
they thought it was a waste of time for Jesus—he would have
more important things to do than spend time with children.
Or they thought kids would take undue liberty with Jesus
and invade his personal space. In a world where children and
women did not count, why trouble the Master with the petty
needs of children? Whatever be their reasoning, Jesus was left
“very angry” by their behavior. See how playful, joyful, kind,
and generous he became with children! And, he leaves us a
message as well: “Whoever does not receive the kingdom
of God like a child will not enter it.” Perhaps it is a corrective to
our materialistic, calculated approach to the Kingdom which
many want to buy with their dos and don’ts, and an invitation to
receive the Kingdom as pure gift of the playful presence of God.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2022