25th Sunday in Ordinary Time [B]
September 19, 2021
Mark 9:30-37

Among many animal species, human infants are the most vulnerable. After birth, some animals can survive on their own and even go hunting. Human babies left by themselves will surely die. The little children depend on their parents, and their weak bodies are the most susceptible to various illnesses. Without balanced nutrition and proper medical treatment, infants will not grow into perfect maturity but will experience stunted growth, develop chronic sicknesses, and even die early. Being an infant and a little child is the weakest stage of human development.

Without enough care and protection from adults, children may fall victim to domestic violence and various abuses. Young boys and girls have to miss education and work in dangerous places without enough rest and payment. Some even were abducted and sold into slavery or became sex slaves. In war-torn areas, the boys are recruited into child soldiers and forced to commit atrocities and murders.

Our world surely has improved and become a better place for children. With national and global efforts to combat child abuses, we hope that our children will grow into a better version of our generation. Now, let us go back to the time of Jesus. We can imagine that conditions were a lot worse for children. The infant mortality rate was extremely high, and children with stunted growth were numerous. We can also imagine many children lost their parents early due to famine, disasters, and wars. Many had to wield a sword and either kill or be killed. Worst among all, children were caught and sacrificed to the false gods. These were the worst time to live for children.

Thus, Jesus’ gesture to welcome and embrace little children is a revolutionary. Jesus’ instruction to His disciples that they need to receive and serve children in His name is radical. The disciples do not truly serve others until they serve the weakest link of our society. Jesus Himself understood how it was to become a little one. He was part of a low-income family of Joseph and Mary. He was born in a dirty cave full of animals. He experienced being weak and vulnerable at the hands of Mary and Joseph. Perhaps, little Jesus occasionally got hungry because Joseph might not bring enough food. Perhaps, Jesus had to help his foster father as a carpenter at an early age. Thus, Jesus boldly taught that to welcome a little child is to welcome Him.

This radical teaching has a great implication. The Church firmly teaches the sanctity of life and defends the lives of little children, even the unborn. Following the teaching of Jesus, we strongly oppose abortions or the killing of babies. Since the beginning, many religious men and women have built shelters for orphans and cared for their educations. Many also are involved directly in tracking and exposing child trafficking. More than that, the Church is putting a lot her effort into forming and protect the Christian families and preparing men and women to become fathers and mothers because we believe family is the best place to welcome children and ensure their upbringing.

To accept little children is to accept Jesus, and to love these little ones is to love Christ.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP