Saturday 18 August

Ezekiel 18:1-13, 30-32; Psalm 51;
Matthew 19:13-15

Do not stop them.

The disciples, Jesus’ best friends, sometimes operated as bouncers. They thought they knew what he wanted, who he liked. Tired after arguments with the Pharisees, they wanted a break. Then people started pushing children towards him. The disciples responded “get outta here,” “take them away” – in the disciple’s eyes, children had no status outside their family. Jesus saw and said: “let the children come to me.” Jesus gave these children respect and dignity AND he was telling his disciples that his kingdom gives all dignity and attention. Today go out of your way to welcome someone warmly.