Faith Daily | 26 February 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p 540

Almighty God,

you have taught us through your Son

that love is the fulfilling of the law:

grant that we may love you with our whole heart,

and our neighbours as ourselves;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Mark 10: 13-16

13People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Helen Menzies

I think it is lovely that Jesus had a varied ministry, and that everyone brought to him was not sick.

In those days children were second class citizens, loved within their own families but not an equal place in society with adults. The disciples thought they had every right to turn them away from the important business of the Jesus Team which were the twelve chosen disciples walking closest to Jesus even though they were all ordinary men with no special training.

They didn't want interruptions to what they were doing.

Do we ever make people feel as though they might be interrupting our Jesus Team even if inadvertently?

I loved the chorus I sang as a child. Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. Red and yellow,Black and white. All are precious in His sight.

Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Probably nowadays there is something much more proper and correct. But we do love our childhood connections!!

FINAL PRAYER:

Loving Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for children within our families, and ask your blessing on them. Bless all the children who will gather for messy church tomorrow to bask in your love as they learn more of you.

We do very especially pray today for children in the refugee camps of the world. Bless the children in Ukraine who are cold and hungry, and with their families don't know where to turn.

Save the country from war and keep the children safe. We pray this in the name of Jesus the loving saviour of all the children of the world who are all precious in his sight.

Amen