THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM – claretonline

NINETEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

August 14, Saturday

At the occasion of the entrance of God’s people into the Promised Land, Joshua convokes them to renew the covenant. They must realize that by doing so, they opt for God, they make a decisive choice, and they commit themselves to God and his kingdom. Haven’t we taken the same option at baptism? We are bound to the God of the covenant, a God of tender love. To serve him is a response of love given in freedom.

Few people today take Jesus’ words seriously when he says: “To such as these little children the kingdom of heaven belongs.” Many, for example, discredit the spirituality of the little way of St Therese of Lisieux. We speak of adulthood in Christ, of a human and spiritual maturity. And yet, true adulthood consists in what God wanted us to be in Jesus Christ, in being receptive to the gospel. To the disciples, who have no use for children and who want to cut the gospel to the measure of their petty ideas, Jesus holds up the child not as a sign of innocence but as a model of openness to God and to the good news of his Son. It is the entrance ticket to the kingdom.

First Reading: Joshua 24:14-29

Joshua continued talking to the people, “So now: Fear God. Worship him in total commitment. Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshiped on the far side of The River (the Euphrates) and in Egypt. You, worship God.

“If you decide that it’s a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you’d rather serve—and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you’re now living. As for me and my family, we’ll worship God.”

The people answered, “We’d never forsake God! Never! We’d never leave God to worship other gods.

“God is our God! He brought up our ancestors from Egypt and from slave conditions. He did all those great signs while we watched. He has kept his eye on us all along the roads we’ve traveled and among the nations we’ve passed through. Just for us he drove out all the nations, Amorites and all, who lived in the land.

“Count us in: We too are going to worship God. He’s our God.”

Then Joshua told the people: “You can’t do it; you’re not able to worship God. He is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He won’t put up with your fooling around and sinning. When you leave God and take up the worship of foreign gods, he’ll turn right around and come down on you hard. He’ll put an end to you—and after all the good he has done for you!”

But the people told Joshua: “No! No! We worship God!”

And so Joshua addressed the people: “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen God for yourselves—to worship him.”

And they said, “We are witnesses.”

Joshua said, “Now get rid of all the foreign gods you have with you. Say an unqualified Yes to God, the God of Israel.”

The people answered Joshua, “We will worship God. What he says, we’ll do.”

Joshua completed a Covenant for the people that day there at Shechem. He made it official, spelling it out in detail. Joshua wrote out all the directions and regulations into the Book of The Revelation of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up under the oak that was in the holy place of God.

Joshua spoke to all the people: “This stone is a witness against us. It has heard every word that God has said to us. It is a standing witness against you lest you cheat on your God.”

Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to his own place of inheritance.

After all this, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of God, died. He was 110 years old.

Gospel: Matthew 19:13-15

One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: “Let the children alone, don’t prevent them from coming to me. God’s kingdom is made up of people like these.” After laying hands on them, he left.

Prayer

Lord our God,
you love all that is little and humble.

As a child seeks refuge in the arms of its parents,
may our strength be to let you carry us.
Teach us through little children
not to boast of anything we have
or anything we have done
but to be open to and receptive of your grace.
For you are our greatness and richness
through Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

Reflection:

Do not prevent them

Who doesn’t love children? Parents and family love watching them growing up. Being a parent is a beautiful vocation. But giving birth to a child does not make anyone a parent. A parent is one who accepts the task of integral formation of a child and raises him or her into physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual maturity. Today’s Gospel reminds us of our responsibility to take our children to God. How often do we hear adults saying, “Faith is a personal choice and I will not impose any religion to my children. Let them choose their faith when they are old enough to do so.” But these generous parents, ironically do not give that equal freedom to their kids when it comes to choosing the food they eat, the dress they wear, the schools they go to, and their activities they engage in. Because, we wish to give our children the very best of everything. The Gospel talks about people bringing their children to Jesus, so that he might bless them. Today the secularisation of the world prevent people from taking their children to God. There are many Catholic parents who prefer their kids skip the Sunday liturgy and Catechism classes, to attend tuition classes and co-curricular activities. While giving everything best to their kids, parents no longer feel the necessity of introducing Jesus to their children. Today’s Gospel is a gentle reminder not forget to take our children to Jesus. “Do Not Prevent Them”: How do the adults prevent children from coming to Jesus? Our bad examples prevent them from coming to Jesus. When parents live their lives in faith with love, compassion and sacrifice, they are raising their children in the love of Jesus. It is the sacred mission of the parents to teach their children, not only to aspire to be successful people in the world, but importantly to aspire for heaven! When we have accomplished this mission, we can be assured to hear those wonderful words from our children, “Thanks for helping me to get here.” Let us not forget to thank the Lord for our parents, who helped us to grow in faith and keep them in our prayers.

Video available on Youtube: Do not prevent them

Do not prevent them

Login

Register