After reading and reflecting on the gospel for today, I find myself particularly grateful for the conversations and interactions I’ve had with children recently. These have included conversations on topics like school, sports and siblings. One of the kids I spoke with has a brand new baby brother. She can’t wait until he can play hide-and-seek and “kick-the-can” with her and her friends. I’ve also had the privilege of baptizing a number of children, including a one-month-old. She slept through most of the rite, but woke up when the water touched her head…then she went right back to sleep after she was baptized. She was sleeping in “heavenly peace” just as we imagine Jesus when we sing about him at Christmastime. 

It brings me joy to see young children playing, learning and thriving. A part of this process that I have the privilege of witnessing is the love and care of parents as they bring their kids to church and religious education. An added bonus is to see them playing and laughing with one another around the front of the church—when the weather is favorable, of course. I frequently reflect on the ways God calls me to pass on to these “little ones” the blessings that Jesus desired for them: peace, mercy, faith, hope, love. A part of this process is to support and encourage parents and teachers who raise and educate our young people and guide them along the right path that Jesus shows us. I have also reflected on my encounters with elders who are ill and infirm, wondering about their childhood years and how the faith was passed on to them. Once when I asked from whom the person learned prayers, he replied: “My mother taught me the Our Father, my grandmother taught me the Hail Mary, my father taught me the Glory Be…how’s that for a ‘blessed trinity!’” The gift of faith is passed along in many ways. It is a great joy for me to witness how faith is passed along, and how it is put into practice by adults and kids.

The gospel also points out that “people” were bringing the children to Jesus. Some of the “people” were certainly the parents of these kids. As an uncle, I also would like to think that other relatives of the kids wanted them to be blessed by Jesus. What a wonderful experience for the children—and their parents and relatives—to receive a blessing from Jesus. I realize that, in my own way, I am also called to be a blessing for the children who Jesus loves. The same love, care and peace that Jesus gave the children in this Scripture passage continues to be showered upon the children today—through the care of parents, friends, family members, and the Church.

Summer can provide great opportunities for spending time with children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews. Jesus still desires to bless these little ones in every way. Through education, play, nourishment, rest and many other ways, God sustains and causes them to thrive and grow in wisdom and grace, just as with Jesus at Nazareth.