When our children were young, we would include them in our morning worship. In my mind, this was a way we served the Lord—by teaching our children how to love and worship God. At first, they would join in singing the worship song in their own gibberish language. But this left a doubt in my mind. Why? Because during our time of worship, our children would be tumbling around the bedroom or worse, fighting with one another.

I wondered how else we could serve the Lord. Then, I read somewhere that to serve the Lord is to serve others. Now that our children are older, we serve God by interceding for the different concerns of our family and friends. After our clan’s nightly online rosary, we end our night with our own family prayers. We recite a psalm and then we lift in prayer our family’s concerns and other people whom we pray for.

Answered prayers become an inspiration to our family to continue serving God by interceding for others.

Rissa Espinosa (rissa_d_espinosa@yahoo.com)

reflect

How else can You serve the Lord in your life?

Lord, lead me to ways where I can love and serve You more in my life. Please give me an open heart to follow where You lead me.

St. Stephen of Hungary, pray for us.

What does it mean to “fear the Lord”? It is not the kind of fear that makes us avoid God. He is our loving Father who wants us to come to Him no matter what we have done wrong. Rather, this fear means respect and awe of the greatness and majesty of God that prevents us from treating Him casually and disrespectfully. It is a fear of hurting God by forgetting how much He loves us and refusing to come to Him to seek His mercy.

¹⁴ Joshua gathered together all the tribes of Israel at Shechem, and addressed them, saying: “Fear the Lord and serve him completely and sincerely. Cast out the gods your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. ¹⁵ If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your fathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” ¹⁶ But the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord for the service of other gods. ¹⁷ For it was the Lord, our God, who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, out of a state of slavery. He performed those great miracles before our very eyes and protected us along our entire journey and among all the peoples through whom we passed. ¹⁸ At our approach the Lord drove out all the peoples, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.” ¹⁹ Joshua in turn said to the people, “You may not be able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God who will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. ²⁰ If, after the good he has done for you, you forsake the Lord and serve strange gods, he will do evil to you and destroy you.” ²¹ But the people answered Joshua, “We will still serve the Lord.” ²² Joshua therefore said to the people, “You are your own witnesses that you have chosen to serve the Lord.” They replied, “We are, indeed!” ²³ Joshua continued: “Now, therefore, put away the strange gods that are among you and turn your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” ²⁴ Then the people promised Joshua, “We will serve the Lord, our God, and obey his voice.” ²⁵ So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem,  ²⁶ which he recorded in the book of the law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was in the sanctuary of the Lord. ²⁷ And Joshua said to all the people, “This stone shall be our witness, for it has heard all the words which the Lord spoke to us. It shall be a witness against you, should you wish to deny your God.” ²⁸ Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to his own heritage. ²⁹ After these events, Joshua, son of Nun, servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11

R: You are my inheritance, O Lord. 

¹ Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; ² I say to the Lord, “My Lord are you.” ⁵ O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot. (R) ⁷ I bless the Lord who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. 8 I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. (R) ¹¹ You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. (R)

Gospel | Matthew 19:13-15

During the time of Jesus, children were not considered to be of great importance. The disciples certainly thought that Jesus should not be wasting His precious time ministering to children as other important people sought His help. Jesus showed through His actions that each child is precious to Him and that they can receive the gift of eternal life. Remember that children can have a profound experience of God. Let us help them grow in their faith and love for Him. 

Gospel Acclamation

Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.

¹³ Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, ¹⁴ but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” ¹⁵ After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

Reflect:

What do you do to bring the children in your family closer to the Lord? 

What have you learned from their innocence and simplicity?

Read the Bible in one year! Read ISAIAH 5 - 8 today.

Once, a teacher asked her students why many children prefer to play outside rather than inside. One student said perhaps it is because they prefer outdoor games than indoor games. Another one said there is more space to play around outside than inside the house. However, it is the student who hardly spoke in class who gave the most sensible answer. This little boy said shyly, “I think most children prefer to play outside because all their playmates are outside.” This makes sense, right? Many times, children say the most sensible things that we, adults, need to hear so as to lessen the stress that we often create by overthinking, overreacting, or worrying too much.

In Jesus’ teachings on discipleship and mission, He describes those belonging to the Kingdom of God as childlike. He holds the children up as examples for those who want to follow Him. They do not have much to offer as far as the Law or the wisdom of this world is concerned. However, it was to them that God has given a far greater gift. He bestowed upon them the gift of faith in Christ, which ironically the scribes and the Pharisees have much need of. While the learned demand proofs, signs, and definitive answers, the childlike followers of Jesus—with their pure and simple faith—readily listen and believe in Him. 

They recognize Him. They take heed of what He tells them. For them, He is all and everything they ever need to know. 

Fr. Ricky Montañez, AA

reflection question

Like the children, do you humbly accept your powerlessness before God as well as your total dependence on Him?   

Father, make us more and more childlike in our faith, and thus more trusting in You. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ____________________________________