THE WORD

Ez 18,1-10.13.30-32 / Mt 19,13-15

The 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; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

IN OTHER WORDS

Jesus loves children. It is most certainly because, children are guileless, they have a clean heart, for they know nothing about scheming or planning evil. Children trust. In the Gospel passage, children trusted their parents, when they were brought to Jesus. Happy indeed the children whose parents are models in searching for God.

Is God happy with adults? Yes and No. The first reading narrates that God gives long life to a virtuous man/woman. The virtuous person “shall surely live, says the Lord”. To those who remain sinless and do what is just and right, God loves them and is happy with them.

On the other hand, those who put God at the back seat and waste their time on “idols”, those who oppress, exact usury, rob people and practice abominations – they will surely die.

Fortunately, God has no pleasure in the death of anyone. He waits. He gives grace, so that those who are destined “to die” can have a change of heart and return to the Lord.

How fitting the response is to the reading today: “Create a clean heart in me, O God”.

Let me live.

• Fr. Atliano Corcuera, SVD | DSWT, Tagaytay City