First reading Ecclesiasticus 17:1-13
Their ways cannot be hidden from his sight
The Lord fashioned man from the earth,
to consign him back to it.
He gave them so many days’ determined time,
he gave them authority over everything on earth.
He clothed them with strength like his own,
and made them in his own image.
He filled all living things with dread of man,
making him master over beasts and birds.
He shaped for them a mouth and tongue, eyes and ears,
and gave them a heart to think with.
He filled them with knowledge and understanding,
and revealed to them good and evil.
He put his own light in their hearts
to show them the magnificence of his works.
They will praise his holy name,
as they tell of his magnificent works.
He set knowledge before them,
he endowed them with the law of life.
Their eyes saw his glorious majesty,
and their ears heard the glory of his voice.
He said to them, ‘Beware of all wrong-doing’;
he gave each a commandment concerning his neighbour.
Their ways are always under his eye,
they cannot be hidden from his sight.
Responsorial Psalm 102(103):13-18
The love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.
As a father has compassion on his sons,
the Lord has pity on those who fear him;
for he knows of what we are made,
he remembers that we are dust.
The love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.
As for man, his days are like grass;
he flowers like the flower of the field;
the wind blows and he is gone
and his place never sees him again.
The love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.
But the love of the Lord is everlasting
upon those who hold him in fear;
his justice reaches out to children’s children
when they keep his covenant in truth.
The love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who hold him in fear.
Gospel Mark 10:13-16
It is to such as these little children that the kingdom of God belongs
People were bringing little children to Jesus, for him to touch them. The disciples turned them away, but when Jesus saw this he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ Then he put his arms round them, laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing.
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Welcoming gesture of love
In Jesus’ time, children had neither rights nor status in society. Moreover, they were considered to be poor and weak. Thus, they were usually shunned and marginalised. Yet, we see in the gospel that Jesus did not treat them as such. He welcomed them with openness, warmth and appreciation. Unlike how society sees them, to Jesus, they were not worthless; each little one was priceless to Him. We, too, are invited to imitate Jesus when we relate with those who have little consideration in our modern society. We open our eyes to see who the ‘little children’ are in our midst, starting with the ones close to us, who need our gestures of welcome and friendship.
In the silence of prayer, Jesus comes to encounter and love us in our poverty and weakness. Assured of His love, we rejoice deeper in our identity as God’s beloved children. May we share the same joy and affirmation with each person we meet today.
Reflective question:
To whom can I show and share Jesus’ welcoming and loving gesture?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
