August 14 – AS ONE FAMILY WORSHIP THE LORD

Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time / Maximilian Mary Kolbe

Gospel: Mt 19: 13-15

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; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

AS ONE FAMILY WORSHIP THE LORD: It is not uncommon today to find family members who belong to different creeds. It is important for a family to be united in faith. Family leadership is critical here. A good family leader ensures that the members are united with their true origin, namely God. As parents it is our obligation to ensure that our children are brought to God. During infant baptism we are reminded of this obligation and to do so through our lives. Each parent must emulate the leadership and example of Joshua when he says as for me and my house I will serve the Lord. Let us consolidate our houses to the Lord. This is what it means to be Childlike following the humility of our Mother Mary.

PRAYER: Lord help us to remain committed to you like little children.

*****ENGAGE WITH CHILDREN: In a world dangerous to children, loving parents wanted to bring their children to Jesus. If he would bless them, pray for them, place his hands on them, then surely those children would be protected, healed, and blessed. They had seen the amazing things Jesus had done for others. They loved their children. Jesus himself had talked about letting children come to him. Why would the disciples stop them? Maybe it’s the same reason we do. We get distracted by other things and let them take us, and our children, away from the Lord. We let problems with our spouse destroy our home and crush our children’s hearts. We get involved in important religious things and forget to involve our children in our spiritual journey. Let’s acknowledge that so many children are kept from Jesus because of the sin, and the refusal of the parents to honor their marriage covenant because of their selfishness.