This Week from Mitch

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I have sometimes nicknamed this upcoming Sunday, "Children's Sunday." In our gospel reading Jesus, filled with compassion, picks up a child, places it amid the disciples, and then invites the adults to experience the kingdom of God as the child does. In the words of the Godly Play lessons that we teach, "I wonder..."

I wonder if the child was nervous to be picked up. I wonder if he or she thought the disciples looked or smelled funny after their long walk from the neighboring town. I wonder if the child felt Jesus's love. I wonder if he or she felt safe. I wonder what the adults thought. I wonder what this story has to teach us now. As an adult, I am reminded of two things. The first is that I need to make room in my life not only for my own children, but for every child who comes with an open heart and curious nature to God. The proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child" is true. It takes a village, and the community of the church is just such a village. Our presence, support, love, and example matter.

Secondly, as an adult, I am reminded that faith is sometimes best received as a child. We need to marvel at beauty, to exclaim with a child-like "wow!" that something is beautiful, amazing, and awesome. It's healthy for us to look at the vastness of the world and be amazed. It's good for us to giggle in delight, and laugh at the unbelievable goodness of God's love. Like a kid amazed on Christmas morning, we are called to celebrate the kingdom of heaven not as wise and learned people, but as children who love our God. 

Jesus reminds us to receive the kingdom of God as a child. I pray that we can do that. To celebrate this Sunday all children will be invited up to help in the preparation of the altar, and then invited to stand at the altar for the celebration of the Eucharist, before returning to their seats to receive communion with their families.

In Christ,

Mitch