Marshmallows And Scavenger Hunts | May 21, 2016

May 21, 2016

Today’s gospel is close to my heart for obvious reasons, but indulge me for a bit as I list some of those reasons. “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Let the little children come and roast their very first marshmallow at a campfire overlooking a twilighted valley that echoes every squeal, every giggle, every song, and every snap crackle of the fire. As they blow the flaming torches with their gooey sweetness toasty and perfect, they delight in this moment of pure freedom: staying up way too late and imbibing on sugar, lots and lots of sugar. Children celebrate freedom with echoes and wonder and sweetness.

Let the little children come and stand on the sidewalk of a tiny gold mining town with mustard stains on their cheeks from their field trip snack lunches, waving and cheering at each car that drives by, praying, wishing, and hoping that the drivers will honk at them acknowledging their pleadings, affirming their existence, and simply playing their super fun game. With every honk these little ones jump for joy, revel in their success, and rejoice in the special mark they have just made on the world. Children delight in those that notice their specialness, in those that encourage their creativity, and in those that play along with them.

Let the little children come and snuggle in their beds, wired on freedom, hopped up on the sweetness of their souls, and Son-kissed by grace. They ask for a song and a story and as the melody fills the room, they settle into the arms of safety and comfort. Children rest when they feel loved.

Let the little children come and ask strangers on the street to help them in their amazing race scavenger hunt through the town of Julian. Putting on all their manners and trying their best to harness their intense energy so as to not frighten the poor strangers, they kindly ask a bald man if they can take his picture, only they tell just a little white lie and say that they need a picture of a man in whatever colored shirt he was wearing so he doesn’t feel self conscious about being bald. They wait patiently as the store clerk lets them look through every single nickel in her cash register until they find one from 1984. They become a little shy when they have to perform a limerick, crafted by them inside the Historical Julian Jail, but they are bold and audacious when they storm into the candy store for their very own shopping spree. And last but not least when they end their scavenger hunt in the small town church and list the 10,000 reasons they found God. Children love to search for hidden treasure and in the finding of the treasure they see God.

Let the little children come as they say their goodbyes through tears and thanksgiving for the experience of the best week of their lives. They ask me to go around the room and give words of affirmation to each one of them and as I tell them what I love about them, how they have changed my life, and something that is special about each one of them, they look me in the eye, no cell phones or screens or texts, and they hear Jesus loving them. Tears stream down their faces as they realize that they are loved just the way they are. Children want to belong, to know that they have purpose, worth, and specialness.

Today’s gospel tell us, “whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it,” so celebrate, delight, rest, search, and remember that you are loved unconditionally. Embrace the child of God within you and eat lots of candy, have a glow stick dance party, roll down a grassy hill, and run free in the meadow. The Kingdom of God awaits your childlike wonder. Have a blessed day.

Reading 1 JAS 5:13-20

Beloved:
Is anyone among you suffering?
He should pray.
Is anyone in good spirits?
He should sing a song of praise. 
Is anyone among you sick?
He should summon the presbyters of the Church,
and they should pray over him
and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
The prayer of faith will save the sick person,
and the Lord will raise him up.
If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another
and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.
Elijah was a man like us;
yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain,
and for three years and six months it did not rain upon the land.
Then Elijah prayed again, and the sky gave rain
and the earth produced its fruit.

My brothers and sisters,
if anyone among you should stray from the truth
and someone bring him back,
he should know that whoever brings back a sinner
from the error of his way will save his soul from death 
and will cover a multitude of sins.

Responsorial Psalm PS 141:1-2, 3 AND 8

R. (2a) Let my prayer come like incense before you.
O LORD, to you I call; hasten to me;
hearken to my voice when I call upon you.
Let my prayer come like incense before you;
the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice.
R. Let my prayer come like incense before you.
O LORD, set a watch before my mouth,
a guard at the door of my lips.
For toward you, O God, my LORD, my eyes are turned;
in you I take refuge; strip me not of life.
R. Let my prayer come like incense before you.

Alleluia SEE MT 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MK 10:13-16

People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them,
but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them,
“Let the children come to me; do not prevent them,
for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Amen, I say to you,
whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child
will not enter it.”
Then he embraced the children and blessed them,
placing his hands on them.