At first glance, today’s gospel reading appears to be about marriage, divorce, and adultery. However, when one considers the sections that follow in chapter 10, the focus seems to be on discipleship. The invitation to the disciples is to move from a legalistic mindset to one that accepts the kingdom of God like a child (verses 13-16). Further, true discipleship entails being detached from all possessions including attachment to self so as to allow God’s grace to flow through (verses 17-31). But the disciple who has given up all for the sake of the gospel will receive a hundred fold in this life and eternal life in the age to come (verses 29-30).

My nephew is less than 2 months old and is a bundle of joy. As I see videos of him or watch him on FaceTime, I notice how he encounters each waking moment with a certain newness and freshness. He has no preconceived notions, no concepts of laws and regulations. He opens himself to the experience of the moment in the fullness of that moment. Maybe this is what Jesus meant when he said that “whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” I wonder what it will be like if we have this childlike disposition at every waking moment of our lives, in all our relationships, whether of marriage or of friendship.