Sister Evangeline Salazar, OSB reflects on the scripture readings: Genesis 2:18-24; Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16

God created man

and from this man

God created woman

or so the story goes.

And I believe

God took the best of man

gave it to the woman

and the two became one.

God spoke

of meaning and truth

relationship

becoming fully human

in love

communicating

freely given

freely taken.

Growing in the likeness

of God, Creator.

And Jesus spoke

God created human beings

for one another

and no one can be dismissed,

rejected, or marginalized.

In His response

to the marriage question

Jesus defends

the inalienable dignity

of all persons,

Male and female.

And Jesus declared

We are made for one another.

The letter to the Hebrews

suggests

death and suffering

are necessary

to bring children to glory.

It may be true.

It’s not my favorite reading.

The Gospel for today,

(having worked with children

for most of my lifetime),

happens to be one of my favorites.

It speaks for the Children,

how Jesus loved them,

how He cared for them.

Parents brought their children to Jesus

that he might touch them.

“Let the children come to me.”

Do not hold onto them.

The kingdom of God

belongs to the children.

In the CHOSEN, Season One

a whole episode is dedicated

to Jesus with the Children.

Both Jesus and the Children

come alive

in ways that stir the Heart

and bids us to engage

with open hearts

and wholehearted enthusiasm.

Listen to the children.

They invite you to enter

their world of innocence and joy.

Children bid you

dance with them awhile.

Enjoy the rhythm of their hearts.

The music of their laughter

sends you into empty spaces

of your world.

And Jesus says to us

“Unless you become like a child,

you will not enter

the Kingdom of God.”

Invite

Enter

Become

A child of God.

Love one another

Hold on to love

Touch one another

Heart to Heart.