You are welcomed
Last week, I baptised a little girl, and it was a day of
celebration for all of us. In the
Lectionary for today set for the eucharist, we read from Matthew 19 “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…”
This teaching indicates one of the best ways that this
passage is fulfilled today. Inviting even infants before they reach the age of
reason to receive the Sacrament of Baptism fulfils this loving command of Jesus
to “Let the children come to me…”
Young children cannot rationally understand love in its
purest form. That comes with the age of reason, which has traditionally been
understood to be around the age of seven. But children, and even infants, are
capable of receiving our love and are capable of receiving the love of God,
even if they do not yet fully comprehend this gift.
As a child grows, they learn what love means as they witness
it and experience it, especially through the mediation of their parents. This
helps form their consciences in such a way that they become capable of making
their own free choice to love as they mature in age. But if a child is to grow
into a loving adult, they need more than just a good example; they need grace.
The grace of Baptism is the primary source of that grace in their lives.
It’s easy for many to see Baptism only as a lovely ceremony
to welcome the newly born child into God’s family. And though that is true, it
is so much more. Baptism bestows upon one’s soul a gift that can never be
removed and becomes an ongoing source of grace. And when an infant is baptised,
it’s as if this Scripture passage above is perpetuated throughout that person’s
life. Because of this sacramental grace, Jesus continually says to this baptised
soul, “Come to Me.”
In addition to the grace of Baptism, we must all imitate
Jesus’ action of welcome and acceptance of not only children but of every child
of God. Though the disciples initially tried to prevent the children from
coming to our Lord, we must not. We must understand that there is a real
temptation within our fallen human nature to both withhold the love of God from
others and to even prevent others from coming to God. Anger, pride, envy,
jealousy and the like can cause us to object to the conversion of others and God
welcoming them to Himself. When that temptation sets in, we must hear Jesus say
to us, “Let the children come to me,” and “do not prevent them.”
Reflect upon these gentle and inviting words of Jesus. As
you do, try to call to mind anyone whom you might try to prevent from coming to
our Lord. Do you desire the holiness of all people? Is there anyone in your
life whom you find it difficult to encourage to go to Jesus to be embraced and
blessed? Learn from Jesus and apply his wisdom to welcome others. The more you
become an instrument of the love of Christ, the more you will daily rejoice in
and share God’s blessings.