What About the Children?
Mark 9:33-37, 10:13-16

The story went around about a little boy in church school being forced to sit still in a small chair and listen quietly. He looked longingly at a picture on the wall. The picture was the illustration of our text -- Jesus and the children happily seated in the grass, some children sitting in his lap and all obviously having a grand time. "I wish Jesus was my Sunday school teacher", the little boy said with a deep sigh.

"Our hope is in the next generation, our children", we say. But the children of this present age are bored, pampered, abused and ignored. They are pressured by both parents and advertisers. We act as if nothing had been discovered about faith development, cognitive development or even common sense. (i.e. Little children learn through their skin and through what they see. Violence begets violence. Abstract thinking doesn't begin until early adolescence. Children interpret information differently.)* Perhaps this story and others about children need a closer look.

In Jesus' day women and children, were considered marginal, at best. To illustrate for the disciples and answer their continuing questions about power, Jesus calls a child into their midst. (Remember as you read these chapters, the followers think they are going to Jerusalem to crown Jesus king! So isn't it important to get the line of command clear? Power is always an issue.) A second time Jesus rebukes those who would keep the children away and welcomes and blesses, "the least of these".

Most of us, reflecting on these stories, can remember our own times of experiencing powerlessness and times when we were given responsibility, times when our gifts were acknowledged and times of being mentored and taught by adults who loved and encouraged us.

What has happened to the directive in Deuteronomy 6: 4-25? How do we speak of our faith and how do we tell our stories? What about today's children? All over the world they are exposed to violence. TV and video games are filled with it. Many are rarely touched and loved. Herein lies the challenge of hope.

1. Who was the person in your childhood who gave you responsibility and value?
2. What do you see in your life, family and church that gives you hope for our children?
3. What needs to change?
4. Who are you mentoring? Where will you offer your gifts to a child?

An excellent resource is Treasure Magazine, Kids for Peace Issue, produced by the Office of Parish Services (& Children's Ministries), The Episcopal Church Center, 815 Second Ave, New York, NY 10017, 1-800-903-5544. Copies of the Magazine are free. You pay the postage.

Suggested Reading:

• The Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller, Basic Books, 1981
• Binding the Strong Man by Ched Meyers, Orbis, 1988.
• Proclaim Jubilee, A Spirituality for the 21st Century by Maria Harris, Westminster John Knox Press, 1996
• Bible Basics for the next generation, by Nancy Boyle, 1999 - a collection of Nancy Boyle's relational bible studies (1995-1999).

*Joining Children on the Spiritual Journey, Nurturing a Life of Faith by Catherine Stonehouse, Baker Books, 1998