October 4, 2015 — Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gn 2: 18-24; Ps 128: 1-6: Heb 2: 9-11; Mk 10: 2-16
Proper stewardship can be defined and measured in a variety of ways. In today’s Gospel from Mark, when Jesus notes that His followers are trying to prevent children from “bothering” Him, He states, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” There are two lessons for us in this passage.
The first reminds us of our responsibility as stewards for the children of our faith community. The primary duty for raising and forming children in the faith is, of course, the parents. However, each of us who is baptized into the community and is a vital part of the Body of Christ shares in stewarding these little ones.
A second lesson has to do with Jesus telling us “…whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Small children, infants in particular, are largely helpless. They need us. Jesus’ point to us is that we need the Lord. Children understand their dependence. Nevertheless, we sometimes balk at the thought that we are totally dependent upon God. If we reach that conclusion, and if we put our lives into God’s Hands, like a child, we are more likely to “inherit the kingdom.” Jesus is telling us to trust Him, and that will help us to be the stewards and disciples we are expected to be.
