As a Child

This chapter in Mark has a number of references to children: Jesus heals a child (verses 17-27), don’t be a stumbling block to children (verse 42), today’s text about welcoming a child (verse 37), and then there is the childish behaviour of the disciples (verse 33-34).

To his childish disciples, Jesus offers one of his often used reversals as a correction, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” (verse 35) But Jesus goes further, placing a child in their midst and saying, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (verse 37) If you were to welcome a child into your home, be that a friend of your own child, a young relative or even a stranger, you would most probably offer some tasty drink or snack. Children intrinsically understand inclusion and exclusion at all sorts of tables.

Jesus speaks to us today, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me,” and the child gets to say, “Me, too!” The good news of Jesus Christ is as simple and yet as complicated as that child’s “Me, too!”

Loving God, help me keep your mysteries alive in my childlike understanding: Jesus loves me, this I know. Amen. — SJ