Daily Gospel Reflection
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February 26, 2022
People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them,
but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them,
“Let the children come to me; do not prevent them,
for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Amen, I say to you,
whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child
will not enter it.”
Then he embraced the children and blessed them,
placing his hands on them.
Even though we have benefitted from years of insight by thorough theological scholars, this gospel passage brings me back to the importance of viewing God through a child’s eyes.
This exact point stopped me in my tracks when my granddaughter, Elizabeth, was two. Everywhere Elizabeth went, she would spy an image of Mary, no matter how obscurely hidden, point and yell out “Mary!” This made a deep impression on my wife, Karen, and I.
Elizabeth accepted “the Kingdom of God like a child.”
Children possess innocence and a willingness to trust someone with complete faith. Looking into my little granddaughter’s eyes, I could see an absolute joy, happiness, and belief that everything was good and will stay that way. It is the same look I have seen in my children’s eyes over the years and now all of my grandchildren’s eyes.
“Let the children come to me,” Jesus instructs today, “do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mk 10:14). Jesus became indignant when the disciples rebuked the children who wanted to see Jesus and receive his blessing.
What a comforting thought that for all of our challenges, efforts, weaknesses, and strengths, Jesus comforts us with the reassurance that the kingdom of God belongs to children and the pure love that they display.
God is love. That is one thing that children do very well—love. We should all do the same as we teach and serve as role models for our children, grandchildren, and others in our journey with Christ.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you came not to judge or reject, but to embrace and cherish. Still we shy away from you with feelings of guilt and unworthiness. We know that we will not find peace if we refuse ourselves or others the hope and delight of your embrace. Help us to believe in you with childlike trust, that we might have eternal life in you. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Isabel was sister to the great king of France, St. Louis IX, in the 13th century. Not only was she royal and wealthy, but she also had a sharp intellect and was a highly accomplished lady. She left aside all of these advantages of life as a princess, however, and sought holiness above everything.
Even as a girl, she was known for fervent prayer and fasting. She loved learning and studied Latin so that she could pray the liturgy of the hours and read the Church Fathers.
Isabel refused to be married, even when famous men courted her. Once, the pope wrote to her directly to encourage her to marry the king of Jerusalem for the good of Christendom, but her refusal to him was so humble and wise that he acknowledged her desire to dedicate her life to God alone.
Every day, before she ate her dinner, Isabel would seat poor people at her table and serve them herself. She would spend the evening visiting others who were sick and poor.
She established a convent for Franciscan nuns, asking St. Bonaventure to write up the rule of life for the community, and named it the Monastery of the Humility of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Isabel never joined the community herself, but did live in the monastery in a room separate from the nun’s cells. She suffered from illnesses during her life, and these prevented her from following the rule of life for the nuns—this was one reason she refused to be named abbess of the monastery. That also allowed her to keep her wealth and resources, so she could support the community and continue to give to the poor. She kept a discipline of silence for most of her day.
Isabel understood the connection between the Eucharist and its call to service. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper, which calls us to humble ourselves in love for others. Before she received communion herself, Isabel always begged forgiveness, on her knees, of the few servants that she retained.
Her life of prayer was marked by ecstasies at several points of her life, including a period of time near the end of her life when she stayed awake through several nights in rapt contemplation. She died in 1270 and her image is used here with permission from Catholic.org.
St. Isabel of France, who had the known world at her fingertips and left it all to serve God and the poor—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Isabel of France is in the public domain. Last accessed December 6, 2024 on Wikimedia Commons.
