7th Week in Ord. Time, Saturday – 26th February 2022 — Gospel: Mark 10,13-16
Embracing Vulnerability
Children in the ancient world had few rights and essentially no social status. There was no perceptible value in hosting a banquet for a child. Therefore, the disciples obstruct people who bring children to Jesus. Indeed, the proper response is to welcome them. Jesus blesses them, not because they carry sweet images of angelic innocence, but because he has concern for the vulnerable and scorned, for those ripe for exploitation. In fact, the people were bringing their children to Jesus simply to be with him. They weren’t asking for anything but that their children be close to Jesus and be touched by him. They wanted them to have a personal encounter with the Messiah.
In another sense, experiencing the kingdom of God is like welcoming a child; not becoming like a child. Therefore, the statement “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it” (Mk 10,15) could mean to welcome the kingdom like you would welcome a child. So, when Jesus says that the reception of God’s dominion is like embracing a child, he is asserting again that God is not experienced in power but in weakness. Entering God’s dominion is not a way to become first or great but a way to identify with the least and to serve simply for Jesus’ sake. For a selfish and self-centered person, it makes no sense to welcome children or remain faithful in a relationship when temptation beckons. However, from the very beginning God has embraced us in vulnerability and remained faithful, and that’s the good news.
