By Br. Steve Herro, O. Praem.
Three recent Sundays reminded us of Jesus’ (and Christianity’s) special place for children.
On October 7, 2018, we were reminded that Jesus said to his disciples:
“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 them and blessed them, placing his hands on them. (Mark 10:14b-18)
One week earlier, the Gospel reminded us:
Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. (Mark 9:42)
And, on September 23, we heard:
Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” (Mark 9:36-37)
The valuing and protection of children is paramount; we have a long way to go. We continue to rile from the many news stories about the sexual abuse of children, children’s impairment on the U.S. border (“A Record 13,300 Migrant Children Are Being Detained by the Trump Administration”; “Trump’s new plan to detain immigrant families indefinitely, explained”), and religious leaders reminding us of the importance of maintaining adequate nutrition programs for children in the U.S. Farm Bill.
Amidst these various serious challenges facing our children, my friend Mary was posting to me about the need for her ministry, Love Life, to find a new distribution site on the east side of Green Bay. After about 10 years, Love Life—which provides free diapers, formula, and other infant products to needy families—was asked to find a new location. After several months of research and negotiations, Love Life Leaders were welcomed at Central Church, a short distance from its former home.
May God bless Love Life’s volunteers and supporters and Central Church for walking the talk for our children. It is heartwarming to realize that kids’ fortunes are being protected in one small way during an otherwise trying time for children’s rights.
