Let the children come to Jesus
March 1, 2025 - Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 10:13-16
Yesterday, we saw Jesus defending the beauty of marriage, and today, we find Him embracing children with love and blessing. His disciples, perhaps thinking they were protecting His time and energy, tried to keep the children away. But Jesus' response was clear and strong: “Let the children come to me.”
This moment speaks volumes about how Jesus values children—not only as individuals but as models of faith. Their openness, trust, and willingness to receive love reflect the kind of heart we are called to have before God.
Yet, in our world today, some hesitate to introduce children to faith. Some parents choose to wait, saying, “Let them decide for themselves when they grow up.” In some places, religious education for children is even restricted. The reasoning sounds fair—shouldn’t faith be a personal choice? But when we think about it, don’t we guide children in many aspects of life? We teach them how to speak, how to behave, and how to care for others. We help them develop values, make friends, and understand the world. Why would we withhold from them the possibility of knowing God’s love?
It’s interesting that while some question teaching children about faith, there is no hesitation in shaping their views on history, culture, or social values from an early age. Education always involves formation—helping children understand and make sense of life. Why, then, would we not offer them the opportunity to encounter the One who gives life its deepest meaning?
Jesus' invitation—“Let the children come to me”—reminds us that faith is not a burden but a gift. Just as parents nurture their children in wisdom and kindness, they are also called to introduce them to the greatest source of love: God Himself. The Church, following Jesus' example, welcomes children into the faith through baptism and guides them as they grow.
Jesus’ words remain as powerful today as they were then: “Let the children come to me.” In a world of many voices and choices, His invitation is simple and profound. It is not about forcing belief but about opening a door—one that leads to love, joy, and the fullness of life in Him.