Daily Gospel Reflection for August 19, 2023

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Every parent knows this Gospel by heart.

“Let the children come to me and do not prevent them.”

Many couples were open to life from the beginning and welcomed every child with real joy. Others had children come to them through adoption, fostering, or blended family.

For those of us converted from contraception to an openness to life, these words may have a deeper meaning. We are grateful that despite our initial defiance, we came to a clearer understanding, and children came our way.

And what do these words mean to those suffering the cross of infertility? Do they hear these words with a begging heart? “Please, oh, Lord, just let a child come to me.”

Can we consider this reading beyond our own doors? We know the world is anti-child. Despite the recent wins for life, too many states and countries are willing to end a heartbeat in the womb. Children are not allowed to come.

Young couples are now more likely to have a pet before they consider a pregnancy. How many of us have noticed an increase in pet supplies and a reduction in maternity clothes at local stores? Letting the children come is becoming less and less common, and many experts warn of the coming demographic winter.

But even those of us with families of our own can subconsciously absorbs the world’s attitude that children don’t belong. We can bristle at their cries at Mass and frown at their antics at a store.

Now, as in Jesus’s time, we need to help readjust the thinking of the world that sees children as a bother or imposition. No matter what our family situation is, we need to remember the Kingdom of Heaven is seen through children.

Ponder:

Are there any areas in our lives where we can be more open to children? Is it in our own families or with prayers for others seeking to grow their families?

Pray:

Dear Lord, enlighten my mind to how I might be resistant to children, whether is it impatience with my own or a lack of charity towards anyone else’s. Help me see the kingdom through their eyes.