Dear Fathers, Brothers, Sisters in Christ,
Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me. (Mark 9:37)
Have you ever felt as if you were the only one not invited to a party? Or that the people around you didn’t care about you? It’s an empty feeling, this sense of insignificance. It’s as if your entire life hasn’t made a difference to anyone.Imagine how the child in this Gospel story felt. Back in Jesus’ era, children were considered to have about the same social standing as women and slaves: they were only slightly more
valued than property. At least until Jesus spoke!
Picture this child sitting quietly in the corner of the room or working hard to serve all the people who had crowded the house where Jesus was preaching. He was probably feeling small and insignificant around this famous miracle worker and all his followers.
But then the question came up about which of the disciples was greater. How surprised that child must have been when Jesus came over and moved him out in front of everyone. He probably didn’t expect Jesus to put his arms around him and
declare that treating him with respect and welcome was the same as welcoming Jesus. Can you picture the boy’s face when he heard these words? Can you imagine the warmth and the sense of worth that this child felt? Jesus had picked him!
Jesus loves you in the same way that he loved the child in that
story. Perhaps you feel as if you have been huddling in a corner, feeling unimportant, unloved, or nworthy. You may wonder why Jesus would bother with you when there are so many other people out there who are better than you or who do more important work than you. But that doesn’t matter. Jesus has picked you. He wraps his arms around you and shows you off to the angels in heaven!
Today, keep that image of Jesus’ welcoming embrace in your
mind as you encounter any challenges to your self-worth. Rest in his arms, and know that he loves you and has chosen you to be his very own.
“Lord, help me remember that you are always with me and have prepared a place in heaven just for me. Jesus, I want to rest in your arms today.”
James 4:1-10; Psalm 55:7-11, 23
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bendigo
Australia
