Luke 18:15-17
15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
The issue of children in church comes every so often in most parishes. Children can be noisy and restless, we sometimes are very aware of their presence. Some think it obvious that children should be elsewhere on Sunday morning.
I understand that perspective, but don’t share it. I have had too many experiences with children grasping in profound ways the content of worship. As a curate, I remember a particular Sunday Eucharist. A very devout family was in attendance with their daughter. During the Eucharistic prayer, at the words, “ take eat, this is my body which is given for you,” the little girl piped in “unless you are a kid”. We were all stunned at her feeling of exclusion. The parents thought they were doing the right thing having the child wait to receive communion, until she could understand. She received communion the following Sunday.
Children have a place in Church. They are offered the same grace, through the mercy of God, we all are offered. I hate to think that a child would ever feel less than a full member of Christ’s Church.
Of Course, two dynamics have to be in operation. Parents have to be sensitive to the fact others are worshipping. Parent’s have to determine when our youngest members have become too disruptive. Second, we have to be tolerant as a community. We have to remember that the Eucharist is a gathering of the whole community. It is not a service of meditation for those capable of understanding what God is doing in our midst. Otherwise, none of us could be there.
We all know the Church is the family of God. We are committed to taking care of each other, because we are family. We are individuals and families, young and old, from different places and backgrounds. Yet, we are one in coming together. We all have to do our part.
15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
The issue of children in church comes every so often in most parishes. Children can be noisy and restless, we sometimes are very aware of their presence. Some think it obvious that children should be elsewhere on Sunday morning.
I understand that perspective, but don’t share it. I have had too many experiences with children grasping in profound ways the content of worship. As a curate, I remember a particular Sunday Eucharist. A very devout family was in attendance with their daughter. During the Eucharistic prayer, at the words, “ take eat, this is my body which is given for you,” the little girl piped in “unless you are a kid”. We were all stunned at her feeling of exclusion. The parents thought they were doing the right thing having the child wait to receive communion, until she could understand. She received communion the following Sunday.
Children have a place in Church. They are offered the same grace, through the mercy of God, we all are offered. I hate to think that a child would ever feel less than a full member of Christ’s Church.
Of Course, two dynamics have to be in operation. Parents have to be sensitive to the fact others are worshipping. Parent’s have to determine when our youngest members have become too disruptive. Second, we have to be tolerant as a community. We have to remember that the Eucharist is a gathering of the whole community. It is not a service of meditation for those capable of understanding what God is doing in our midst. Otherwise, none of us could be there.
We all know the Church is the family of God. We are committed to taking care of each other, because we are family. We are individuals and families, young and old, from different places and backgrounds. Yet, we are one in coming together. We all have to do our part.
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