Gospel Reflection for 7th October 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus and the Young People

In his three short years of his public activity and ministry Jesus went of out his way to seek out and find those who were ignored, rejected and often despised by others. He sat and ate with those others called sinners; he literally reached out to touch those who were deaf, dumb and blind.

The sinners, tax collectors and prostitutes where among his closest friends and followers. In the second part of the gospel this Sunday, we see Jesus as he meets and encounters a group of young people.

Image credit: Pixabay

Jesus is speaking to the crowd and teaching them about the ancient Law and what is says about marriage and divorce. While he is speaking some adults bring children and young people to Jesus so that he can lay his hands on them and bless them.

However, his disciples seem to have a taken on the role of body-guards trying to protect Jesus while keeping people away from him. They actually tried to turn them away. Imagine the disappointments on the faces of these parents and their children as they are deliberately stopped from meeting Jesus. However, Jesus sees his followers are doing and he is indignant. 

This literally means that Jesus was displeased, angry and even furious with his disciples. Clearly, not their best moment with Jesus.

For whatever reason, the disciples were trying to prevent these young people from seeing him.

Because of this, Jesus makes a very public statement in favour of them;

‘Let these children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that Kingdom of God belongs… anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.’

Strong words as always from Jesus.

Why would Jesus make a very deliberate point of highlighting the presence of children to his followers? In another gospel when the disciples were fighting over who was more important, again, Jesus told them that they needed to adapt the mind and heart of a child.

At the time of Jesus, children had little or worth or value. There were seen as having no more worth or value than that of a slave. The meaning of these comments and actions of Jesus would not have been lost on his disciples. They would have been deeply challenged by what Jesus said to them.

Let us be very clear and not overly romantic; there is nothing simplistic about being a child. A child knows who to trust and love by the way they are treated and respected. Childlike faith is never tired, cynical or indifferent. The faith of a child is anything but ‘childish.’

It is this faith that Jesus asks us to embrace; a faith that does not separate words from actions. This is a faith that is focused on God and others without condition or expectation. 

Only by embracing ‘childlike’ faith, kindness, compassion and forgiveness can we appreciate and welcome the Kingdom of God.

You can read the full text of this Sunday’s readings here.