We have the advantage of knowing what the disciples had yet to comprehend in their time with Jesus. What remains for us is to welcome the risen Jesus into our entire being. Jesus has taught us that children are important, they deserve to be loved, and we should be ready to do anything for our children. Please join me for a moment to pray for those responsible for children who desire to know Christ better. Jesus, help those who want to know your love so they may humbly serve children and all your adult sons and daughters with childlike needs.
Jesus and the Little Child by James Tissot
The full-resolution painting and more details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Mark 9:30-37 – Scripture*
Jesus Again Foretells His Death and Resurrection
30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” 32 But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
Who Is the Greatest?
33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Mark 9:30-37 Reflection – Humbly Serve Children.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Mark 9 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.