There is a scene in the book To Kill a Mockingbird where Atticus, a lawyer, is sitting outside the county jail in the middle of the night watching over a black prisoner, Tom Robinson, whom he has been unable to defend against a charge of raping a girl. A lynch mob of men comes to get Tom. A tense standoff follows.  Unexpectedly, Atticus’ two children turn up to see why he is not home. Their innocence dissipates this tense situation and the mob leaves. I sometimes think that the children in today’s gospel had a similar effect on what was happening – a large crowd had come to listen to Jesus but there were some Pharisees intent on asking Jesus some difficult questions about divorce.

I’m sure Jesus, like Atticus, was pleased with the interruption of the children and I’m sure Jesus would have preferred the company of the children to the questions asked of him. Jesus lays his hands on the children’s heads and shoulders, and I can imagine some of them sitting on his lap. What is it about being a child and childlike that makes us belong to the kingdom of heaven? Perhaps, trusting in God despite not knowing all the facts or finding peace, when in human terms we should not be peaceful.

Today’s gospel speaks to us of an invitation to be like Christ in our love and acceptance of children, especially those of us blessed with children, even more so, if those children have no time or space in their hearts and lives for God or who are estranged from their parents.

By Michael Bruynesteyn