Play Like Jesus – Part 3 of 5
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ 2He called a child, whom he put among them, 3and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.Temptations to Sin 6 ‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7Woe to the world because of stumbling-blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling-block comes! -Mt 18.1-7
How many times a day do parents and teachers say to children – stop playing and pay attention! How many times a day do we play with our children? Telling them to stop doing what comes naturally is a stumbling block that manifests itself in ways we don’t even recognize. We adults, we people “mature” in faith, tell them to “stop playing” because how in the world can you mature if you play all the time? How do you earn that degree from Duke or Chicago? How do you run that Fortune 500 business? How do you buy that house at the Cape if you play?
So are we adults missing the simple childlike power of play? Recently I realized that much of my work week was spent answering e-mail after e-mail, reviewing details for upcoming meetings, looking at budgets, and worrying about the economy and its effect on the Church. Of course, much of this is necessitated by a culture of doing more, consuming more, and achieving more. But are we living more? Are we living more like Jesus would have us live?
I often reflect on the story of Mary and Martha. When Jesus visited the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, it was Mary who chose the “better part”. It was Mary who took time out to sit at Jesus’ feet. It was Mary who humbled herself, who trusted, who chose this moment to be spontaneous. Martha, who I believe truly was doing what she thought the best way to serve her Lord, was so busy preparing that she missed out. She missed out on the “better part”. We are a culture of Marthas who are called to live more like Mary, and we are raising another generation just like us. Instead of working furiously five days a week, sometimes forgetting to break for lunch, and checking e-mail and voice mail and Facebook; why don’t we spend time caring for this creation, this blessing, of which God has given us dominion?
RESOURCES:
The Inner Lives of Children – The Spiritual Lives of Children by Robert Coles
The Religious Potential of the Child by Sophia Cavaletti
Unplugged Play by Bobbi Conner
Real Kids, Real Faith – Practices for Nurturing Children’s Spiritual Lives by Karen Marie Yust
Joining Children on the Spiritual Journey – Nurturing a Life of Faith by Catherine Stonehouse
