Let the children come to me

Image from Daily News

The days were long, and the crowds grew larger each day.  What began as a dream of living spiritually with their Master had become an exercise in crowd control. The disciples tried to remind themselves how wonderful it was people were coming to hear Jesus, to be in his presence, but some tried to get too close. The children were particularly troublesome, and, one day, as the disciples tried to shoo them away, Jesus said to let the children come, to let them draw close. The children, he pointed out, vividly show what innocent exuberance and pure faith looks like. Perhaps, but the disciples wanted to keep the gatherings neat, tidy, and under control.

They still do.

He’s the newly elected Pope, or “Vicar of Christ,” the leader of some 1.2 billion Roman Catholics and admiration of many more. An unlikely choice, Pope Francis identifies with the poor, lives simply, and wants everyone to hear the good news. For many, the position of Pope has long become something different, and the current disciples, called “Cardinals,” often serve as modern gate-keepers, trying to keep things neat, tidy, and under control. No one knows how the little boy reached the stage, but he moved too quickly for the Cardinals to grab him. Feeling safe, accepted and loved in this man’s presence, the child did what children do: he hugged the Pope with complete abandon.  Some felt it out of place.

They were wrong.

Children today come in all shapes and sizes, colors and creeds, as do those in charge of crowd control. Keeping things neat, tidy, and under control often remains the sole focus or goal. Keeping the crowds looking a certain way and standing at a respectful distance makes some feel better, but the children are hungry to get close. It’s time to run onto the stage and be in the presence of the one who loves us in ways beyond our comprehension. It’s time we open the gates, lower the ropes, and let the children in.

It’s time to hug God with complete abandon.