Play Like Jesus – Part 4 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. 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
By our own actions, we can become stumbling blocks for our children… for ALL children. Let me reflect on the Matthew 18.6-7 for a moment. “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.” YIKES!!! That doesn’t sound too playful to me! Are you familiar with a millstone? “A great millstone” is originally a “donkey millstone,” It is one of a pair of cylindrical stones used in a mill for grinding grain that is so heavy that it must be turned by donkeys instead of by hand. Death by drowning was a Roman punishment and therefore repugnant to Jews. So imagine Jesus using this particular warning in the Jewish community.
Our lives must be lived in a way that throws no stumbling block in the way of those who are “weaker members of the community”. By our use of resources, we can become stumbling blocks. By using opportunities that further separate us from God, we become stumbling blocks. By our silence, we become stumbling blocks.
So often, we advocate for children by donating money to worthy causes, volunteering in our schools, writing letters to our representatives – and all of this is efficacious. But within this community, out in this and many cities, around this world, children have forgotten how to play. They have forgotten how to play because those of us “mature” people, overlook the importance of childhood.
I am sure that you know that each day, thousands of children die from preventable diseases. I am sure that you know that each day thousands of children in the United States are seen by emergency room physicians, not because there is an emergency, but because they do not have the luxury of a pediatrician. I am sure that you know that in the current economic climate, abuse and neglect of our children has risen by leaps and bounds. Do you know that these children dying from preventable diseases may have never played? Do you know that many of the children using the emergency room for primary care no longer smile? Do you know that abused and neglected children begin to engage in inappropriate play? Play is a powerful way that children experience the world. We play for joy! We play for intelligence! We play for connection! How long do you think that children in these circumstances remain innocent, open, spontaneous, vulnerable, trusting, or playful? How long?
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
