Matthew 19:13-15
This incident in the scripture
portion emphasizes the significance of showing respect and honour to those whom
society does not respect. The disciples probably assumed that a teacher like
Jesus was far too busy to waste his time with children. But we can see that
Jesus took time to show special concern for them and repeated his statement in chapter 18:1-5vs stating that child-like qualities are important, for the
kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. I have classified the reflection
under three key words namely Special, Space and Spare.
Special:
Children
are special in the eyes of God. We are living in a world which never gives
importance to children. The world as we see seems to look at children as
commodities.
Last
May in Tamil Nadu after the 12th standard Board exam results were announced about
five girl students committed suicide as they had failed. There are several such
instances that we may come across. Those incidents bring to light the fact that
many of them are not in a position to accept failure in their lives though they
have a long way to go. The world puts pressure on children. It’s very difficult
for them to cope up with pressure. The world mocks at the one who is not
successful according to the set standards established by it. Their performance
determines their value and in this manner the whole importance of life seems to
have been lost. Even we can see parents in a way compelling their children to be
performers. The majority is setting standards for the people.
We can take an example of a doctor who’s got his MBBS degree and on the
other hand a farmer who has no degree. On the one hand a doctor saves life and
on the other a farmer gives life. Both in a way contribute to life. But in the
case of a child coming to a parent and telling that he wishes to be a farmer
then we may guess what the response of that parent would be. The world is
setting pseudo standards for all. We are forcing our children to be smart.
Actually
everyone is important but especially in an Indian context we can see praises
being showered on the child which wins and mockery on the child which misses
out. We forget that all are special in the eyes of God. We say that they are
special only when they achieve as if to say that it has an expiry date on not
achieving.
Space:
Children need space but
we can see that they are not provided that space. The patriarchal mindset
suppress them. We usually don’t accept their ideas. For instance if a junior
gives an idea we may not accept it thinking that they may not have the
knowledge or that in accepting it our knowledge becomes lesser. In the school
set-up we can see that if a child listens obediently then it is considered to
be a good child or else the teacher will call for the parents. In this passage
we can see Jesus giving that space for the children by telling “let them come
to me.”
Spare:
Here we can see that
Jesus spared the children. Very few are able to free the children working under
various bondages be it in industries or under the landlords. We have the
responsibility to be strong Christian witnesses by striving to liberate them
from all forms of oppression that they might be caught up with.
In a context where
children are abused and discriminated, we cannot remain silent. As Jesus did we
have to affirm their worth and dignity and bring them to the mainstream of our
church and society. We must do whatever possible from our end to stop all forms
of oppression on children. As followers of Christ, we too must share his
concern for them. It’s time for us to discern the right from wrong. This year’s
theme “For such a time as this; discerning Christian public witness” is very
apt in this endeavor.
I would like to end this
reflection by reading out a message which I came across in one of the social
networking sites that goes like this.
A Child is like a
butterfly in the wind
Some can fly higher than
others,
But each one flies the
best it can.
Why compare one against
the other?
Each one is different.
Each one is special.
Each one is beautiful.
Calvin Sushith Ambler, BD IV
(Sermon preached in the UTC Ziegenbalg chapel for morning worship on June 12, 2014.)
No comments:
Post a Comment