Last week, I baptised a little girl, and it was a day of celebration for all of us. In the Lectionary for today set for the eucharist, we read from Matthew 19 “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…”
This teaching indicates one of the best ways that this passage is fulfilled today. Inviting even infants before they reach the age of reason to receive the Sacrament of Baptism fulfils this loving command of Jesus to “Let the children come to me…”
Young children cannot rationally understand love in its purest form. That comes with the age of reason, which has traditionally been understood to be around the age of seven. But children, and even infants, are capable of receiving our love and are capable of receiving the love of God, even if they do not yet fully comprehend this gift.
As a child grows, they learn what love means as they witness it and experience it, especially through the mediation of their parents. This helps form their consciences in such a way that they become capable of making their own free choice to love as they mature in age. But if a child is to grow into a loving adult, they need more than just a good example; they need grace. The grace of Baptism is the primary source of that grace in their lives.
It’s easy for many to see Baptism only as a lovely ceremony to welcome the newly born child into God’s family. And though that is true, it is so much more. Baptism bestows upon one’s soul a gift that can never be removed and becomes an ongoing source of grace. And when an infant is baptised, it’s as if this Scripture passage above is perpetuated throughout that person’s life. Because of this sacramental grace, Jesus continually says to this baptised soul, “Come to Me.”
In addition to the grace of Baptism, we must all imitate Jesus’ action of welcome and acceptance of not only children but of every child of God. Though the disciples initially tried to prevent the children from coming to our Lord, we must not. We must understand that there is a real temptation within our fallen human nature to both withhold the love of God from others and to even prevent others from coming to God. Anger, pride, envy, jealousy and the like can cause us to object to the conversion of others and God welcoming them to Himself. When that temptation sets in, we must hear Jesus say to us, “Let the children come to me,” and “do not prevent them.”
Reflect upon these gentle and inviting words of Jesus. As you do, try to call to mind anyone whom you might try to prevent from coming to our Lord. Do you desire the holiness of all people? Is there anyone in your life whom you find it difficult to encourage to go to Jesus to be embraced and blessed? Learn from Jesus and apply his wisdom to welcome others. The more you become an instrument of the love of Christ, the more you will daily rejoice in and share God’s blessings.
Father Paul