Passage
“Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” — Mark 10:14
Reflection
One day, some families brought their children so Jesus could touch them and bless them. But the disciples, Jesus’s helpers, thought that wasn’t very important. They believed Jesus was too busy with grown-up things, teaching and healing adults, and they tried to send the children away so they wouldn’t bother him.
But when Jesus saw what they were doing, he got firm with his own disciples. He told them, “suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not” (Mark 10:14). Jesus didn’t say children would have to wait until they grew up to matter to him. He said the exact opposite: that the kingdom of God belongs especially to people like them.
And he didn’t stop at words. The Bible says Jesus “took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them” (Mark 10:16). He held them, touched them, took time with each one, even though a line of important grown-ups was waiting to talk to him.
That means when you want to talk to Jesus, tell him something that scares you, something that makes you happy, or just be near him, you’re never bothering him. You’re never too small or too unimportant for him to pay attention to you. He himself said he wants you to come close.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you that you’re never too busy for me. Thank you for wanting me to come close to you, just like you welcomed the children who came to you that day. Help me remember that I can always talk to you about everything I feel. Amen.