Daily Catholic Lectio. Sat, 25 May 2024. You are precious!

Daily Catholic Lectio

Sat, 25 May 2024

Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – Saturday

James 5:13-20. Mark 10:13-16

You are precious!

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has invited the Universal Church to celebrate this weekend – 25, 26 May 2024 – as the First World Day of the Children. At the beginning of his felicitation and message, our Holy Father writes to the children, “You are precious” (cf. Isa 43:4). Through these words, Pope Francis reminds us that children are precious both in the eyes of God and in our eyes; he exhorts us to treat them with respect and dignity.

The gospel reading brings before us Jesus’ close association with the children. In the Hebrew worldview, ‘children’ were treated as ‘neuter gender.’ They had no identity of their own. It was prohibited for a rabbi (teacher) to meet women and children in public. In this context, the disciples forbid children from coming to Jesus.

Jesus admonishes the disciples for this action and welcomes children to come to them. Besides, he instructs the disciples that they must possess a childlike mindset, which is characterised by trust, dependence, and acceptance.

Jesus welcomes and blesses the children. This shows Jesus’ concern and care for the children.

Openness to welcome children and openness of the children to welcome the kingdom – these are the requirements of a disciple of Christ.

What is our view of children, the vulnerable, and young people? Do we show our concern and responsibility towards them? Do we help them grow in faith?

In the first reading, James instructs his community on the importance and power of prayer. The openness of children will be our attitude in prayer.

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In the preparatory year of prayer for the Jubilee 2025, let us understand and realise the power of prayer. (Jubilee A. D. 2025, bite 107).

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy

# Be M.er.cy.Fool