Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.

From the Gospel according to Matthew

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.

The Gospel of the Lord

All or nothing.

Back in Jesus’ time, children had no value.

They weren’t even considered people, to the point where they were called “slaves” and “children” interchangeably. That’s why the disciples kept them away so they wouldn’t bother Jesus.

But Jesus surprised everyone by saying, “The kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like children.”

God has a special place in His heart for those considered “nothing.” As St. Paul says, “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; what is weak to shame the strong; what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are” (1 Cor 1:27-28). Therefore, “to be everything, don’t try to be anything in anything” (St. John of the Cross).

Applied to married life

Clare: I’ve spent my whole life waiting to be valued by you, and now it turns out the way is to be nothing.

John: Well, to me, you’re everything, even if I don’t always prove it.

Clare: Don’t worry, honey, sometimes the Lord allows me to feel unappreciated, even though I am, so I can love through the trial.

John: So, let’s keep trying to be nothing so that the Lord can place us where He sees fit.

Clare: Amen.

Mother,

God saw Your humility; help us to become small too, so that God can do great works in us.