When I hear this passage from Scripture, I picture this scene where everyone in Jesus’ entourage was settling down for a little siesta. Suddenly a gaggle of children appeared, guided by their parents into his presence. The disciples, acting as ministry managers, got a bit flustered. They knew Jesus was tired and needed a break. They felt that they should shield him from interruptions. They had many tasks to address: where to take the evening meal and where they would stay for the night, for instance. Dealing with lively children was not on their agenda.

Jesus had better ideas. He opened his arms wide. Why did these kids come to him? What was their mood? Were they excited, curious, giggling, joyful, boisterous, and loud or shy and hesitant? They were surely innocent, full of unconditional love, devoid of grudges and empty of all malice. It is easy to picture Jesus eagerly embracing them all as they surrounded him. The parents and disciples wisely pulled back and let the children pass. They surrounded Jesus climbing on his lap, clinging to his neck and grasping his hands.
When my grandchildren came to visit us in their younger years, this is how I saw them tumbling out of a car, racing through the door, eager to give us a big hug. It was a moment of grace recreating God’s love for us. Now that I am in my eighth decade, thoughts of that kind of encounter come to mind when contemplating a final arrival in heaven. I hope that I will have come full circle through life still full of joy, curiosity, good humor, all relationships in repair and grudges erased, loving unconditionally, forgiving widely, with no sign of malice, perhaps even dancing a little.