Children

Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." After he placed his hands on them, he went away. (Matthew 19:13-15)

Who are the children?  They are the poor.  Jesus gave the poor priority.  The Kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor.  Perhaps this is why Jesus told the young man to give away all his possessions and then follow him.

Moreover, when we behave like children; that is, uncorrupted by the events of our adult lives colored by prejudice, envy, hate, and anger, the Kingdom of heaven belongs to us.

We adults should let the child within us be set free.  He/she is still there hidden under layers of hardened skin.  

To help us in this task, we should hang around children and be influenced by their innocence.  Speaking as a grandfather of five, I often feel the influence of their innocence and care-free lives.  

Deacon David Pierce