Readings: Ezekiel 18:1-10,13,30-32, Ps. 51:12-15,18-19, Matthew 19:13-15
“‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.’ And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.” (Matthew 19:14-15)
Today’s Gospel passage reveals something so pure and striking: God wants the children to come to him. Like the disciples of Jesus, we are often guilty of preventing children from coming to Jesus. This happens in the following ways:
- First, we do not allow children to participate in religious activities. We do this because we think that children cannot comprehend God or that their participation in religious activities is only a nuisance. Meanwhile, Children are more religious than we think. The best gift you can give your children is to teach them about God. However, remember that actions speak louder than words when teaching children about God. You cannot light a child’s candle if yours is not burning.
- Secondly, we fail to show conviction about our faith through exemplary conduct. There are a lot of practical atheists today who were previously Christians but have disconnected themselves from all forms of religious activity, not because they found faults with God but because they are not happy with persons who claim to know God.
- Children who grow up without any idea of God end up becoming spiritually deficient. Let your children come to God. Take them to Sunday School. Let them participate in the catechism class. For many of us, those things we learnt in catechism as children sustain our Christian faith to this day. Those who say: “I don’t want to indoctrinate my child. I want the child to grow up and decide for himself whether or not to believe in God or follow religion”, always end up having social media carry out negative indoctrination for them.
- You may spend huge sums of money educating your children, but if you fail to nourish them spiritually or teach them how to pray, you deform them. Some parents go as far as offering bribes so that their children can receive baptism and other sacraments without going through the rigours of catechism class. This is equivalent to paying for a first-class BSc Degree without knowing what the degree stands for. The degree is yours, but the knowledge is absent. This is the root of our problems in Nigeria today.
- Some parents do not realise the danger of refusing to spend time with their children until it is too late. Never leave your children unattended. In this era of smartphones, parents find it convenient to leave their children under the care of smartphones. Your child may become quiet while playing with the phone, but this could lead to smartphone addiction, introduction to immoral content, and other dangers capable of destroying children.
- The prophet Ezekiel today tells us that we serve a God of justice. God is not going to punish children for their parents’ sins. Nevertheless, we must give an account of the children God has given us. Above all, Ezekiel tells us today to repent. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but in their repentance. Have you been preventing your children directly and indirectly from getting close to God? Repent today.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, grant that, by our words, actions and examples, we would never hinder any child from coming to you. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saturday of week 19 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Ezekiel 18:1-10,13,30-32, Ps. 51:12-15,18-19, Matthew 19:13-15).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu