Saturday of the Seventh Week of Ordinary Time

Saint Philip Neri (d. 1595)

Sr Godelieve, our nonagenarian, enthusiastically embraces fruit preparation for jam

Readings of the day: RB 7:1-4 The Value of Humility

Mass: Jm 5:13-20; Resp Ps 141; Mk 10:13-16

Let the children come to me; do not prevent them,

for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

While reflecting on the characteristics and qualities of children, I thought especially of two I was with a few days ago: one, a tall, slender boy of five with a glorious mop of red hair; second, his 15-month old little sister called Ruby. She was born on a Tuesday. Why is it that the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these? They have a sense a wonder and awe; are playful and energetic; they are humble; they are eager and enthusiastic; they have the capacity to laugh, even with unbounded joy; they have fresh eyes to see the beauty of creation; their hearts are open to the LOVE of God. What would you add to the list?

THEN HE EMBRACED THE CHILDREN AND BLESSED THEM,

PLACING HIS HANDS ON THEM.

The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age,

which means never losing your enthusiasm.

(Aldous Huxley, 1894-1963)

When we learn to play better, we learn to love better, too. We become easier to live with, better to be around, more creative when we work, more full of joy always.

(J. Chittister The Art of Life: Monastic Wisdom for Every Day, pp. 67-68)