GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Matthew 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.

The Gospel of the Lord

 

Let Yourself Be Blessed by Jesus

In this Gospel passage, we see how—most likely—some parents or grandparents bring children to Jesus so that He might bless them. Despite the disciples’ reluctance, Jesus lays His hands on them and blesses them. How important it is to draw near and present ourselves before Jesus to ask for His blessing!

But how do I approach the Lord? With self-sufficiency, with human logic? Or with the trust of a child—a little one who knows he is in need of his Father? Do I present my husband to Jesus each day so that He might bless him? Or, like the disciples, do I scold him and keep him away because I see him as “unclean” with his little sins, or unworthy because he has offended me?

Jesus makes it very clear that His logic is not ours. He looks deep within and sees the disposition of the heart. He blesses the children who come to Him simple, docile, and trusting. And what a surprise! The Lord tells His disciples that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs precisely to those who are like children.

So, if I become like a child—if I recognise my need, if I place all my trust in my Father God and believe that what He gives me is truly the best plan I could have—then I can begin to live the Kingdom of Heaven here and now.

Let us not forget to thank God for those who have brought us closer to the Lord, and let us never stop presenting Jesus to those who do not yet know Him—especially those closest to us.

Applied to Married Life

Rafa: Hi, María, I’m home.

María: Hello, Rafa. How was the flight?

Rafa: Phew! This time I was really scared—there were some awful turbulences, so much so that I even prayed. And you know how little I believe in all that praying business… But do you know what surprised me the most?

María: No… What was it?

Rafa: A child was completely calm while the rest of us were trembling. And when someone asked if he wasn’t afraid, he said no—because his dad was the one flying the plane. What trust he had in his father!

María: That’s no surprise. He was with his dad! If a child trusts his earthly father because he believes he’s the best, that he’s capable of anything, and that because he loves him he’ll give him the very best—then becoming like a child is just that, but in relation to God, our Father. And since He loves each of us, knows everything, and can do all things—would He ever give us something bad? To have that kind of faith in Him, in His plans, in the belief that He always gives us what’s best for us, even when we don’t understand it—that’s what it means to become like a child before God.

Rafa: What a beautiful reflection. María, could you help bring me closer to the Lord? You know I don’t have your faith, but I’d like to.

María: Of course, Rafa. What joy! How about we go on that marriage retreat with “Proyecto Amor Conyugal” that our friends spoke so highly of? I think it would be a great start…

Rafa: Why not? I trust you—and them. It won’t do us any harm. And if it helps us and brings us closer to the Lord…

María: You’re the best. I love you.

Mother,

Take us by the hand, and just as You presented Your Son in the temple, present us to Jesus each day so that He may bless us. Blessed are You, Mother! Praised be the Lord!