Play Like Jesus – Part 5 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
Matthew 18.1-7, the pericope of “true greatness” tells us that there is nothing greater than the Kingdom. There is nothing greater than devotion to Jesus Christ. So, why stop the imagination, the innate ability to play? Jesus came to us an infant to bring “a new covenant that does not lower God’s standards, but points to the power to meet those standards. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, through the coming of the Holy Spirit, a new power is available for living God’s way. The church is called to be the people of God who provide the nurturing community required to teach and to walk with our children on their faith journey.”
Our example of this is Jesus view of children. We know that Jesus values children. It was an angry Jesus who told the disciples to “let the children come” to him. Jesus took the time to hold children in his arms. Jesus took the time to lay hands on children. Jesus took the time to bless the children. Jesus healed children. Jesus named children as people of faith. Children experienced and experience personal time with Jesus. The Kingdom belongs to children, and like at the celebration of the Eucharist, they deserve full welcome and participation. Children need to grow up noticed and valued and nurtured as members of the faith community.
Though it may sound silly, I invite you to stomp in a mud puddle, play “red light – green light” with your children, sing songs at the top of your lungs while waiting for the light to change at an intersection! Volunteer at a weekday childcare center. Life is tough and getting tougher. Our children, our family and friends, our neighbors, and even us… we need blessed play.
Jesus requires us to be like a child. Be playful. Be spontaneous. Be vulnerable. Trust God. Depend on God. Have faith in God.
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
