February 17: Let the Little Children Come
♫ Music:
Wednesday, February 17
Scripture: Matthew 18:3-4, Matthew 19:14
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN COME
In my own experience, teachings on these passages have often focused on the necessity of our becoming as innocent and as humble as a little child. But, objectively, are children truly innocent and humble? Original sin aside, it doesn't seem to take too long for a hungry baby to kindle his hot temper or for a four year old to develop an appreciable degree of self-admiration as she twirls before her mirror. What is true childlikeness and how do we move toward it?
Emil Nolde’s painting Christ and the Children presents us with many striking contrasts: On the left, the disciples are painted in somber shades of purple and black; on the right, the children are rendered in vibrant shades of orange, gold and magenta. The arched figure of Christ divides the darkness from the light, the coldness from the warmth, and the staid disciples from the rambunctious children. To Christ’s left we see eyebrows raised in skepticism; to his right, arms raised in joyful anticipation. In rather surprising contrast to more traditional biblical paintings, Jesus’ back is turned to the viewer. Why? Perhaps Nolde is telling us that we, too, must become as little children to enter the Kingdom.
For a moment, imagine that Nolde had painted Jesus huddled with the disciples, turning his back on the children. Imagine that Matthew had written a much different account of this event—that Jesus, rather than teaching the disciples that the Kingdom belonged to the childlike, taught them that it belonged to those as learned as Socrates or as wise as Solomon. How many of us would immediately disqualify ourselves from the Kingdom? Thankfully, we see Jesus, once again, toppling the prevailing cultural norm and as he does, it falls at the feet of the learned, the leaders, the worldly wise, the wealthy, the self righteous, and even his disciples. They are not disqualified but they undoubtedly need a course correction.
In a parallel account (Mk 10:14) we read that Jesus became “indignant” when he learned the disciples had intercepted his blessing the children. Why this seemingly strong reaction? Isn’t it possible that the disciples were only trying to protect Jesus or manage his time? Children, or “babies” (Lk 18:15), are a very messy proposition. Not only will they be spitting up, tugging at his beard, and sticking their fingers in his mouth, they will also be prolonging his, and no doubt the disciples’ work day. And after all, babies are certainly not spiritually astute and they cannot possibly understand that there are more important matters at hand. Was Jesus’ indignation due to the disciples’ misrepresentation of himself and the Kingdom? That seems an offense God does not take lightly (Num 20:12).
All children, toddlers and infants are unequivocally, subjectively and objectively, dependent on another for their well being, and so are we. I would suggest that true humility and childlikeness hinge on an ever-increasing awareness of our profound spiritual, emotional, and physical needs. Even the most childlike of us need a Savior and even our Savior needed his Father.
PRAYER
Lord, as best I can I humble myself before you. Forgive me for the ways that I have misrepresented you and your kingdom. Please show me the ways that I too need a course correction. Help me to be more like the children in the painting—desiring you, rather than my idea of you. May your Spirit work in me an ever-deepening awareness of my profound neediness and dependency, for apart from you I can do nothing. Amen.
Patricia Conneen, Spiritual Director, Institute of Spiritual Formation
Christ and the Children
Emil Nolde
Oil on canvas
Museum of Modern Art, New York
About the Art and Artist
Emil Nolde (1867-1956) was a German painter and printmaker, son of devout Protestants. He was one of the first Expressionists, an avant-garde modernist movement that sought to express the meaning of emotional experience rather than physical realities. He is known for his vigorous brushwork and expressive choice of colors. Golden yellows and deep reds appear frequently in his work, giving a luminous quality to otherwise somber tones. His art was deeply influenced by the stark natural beauty of his north German homeland, and alongside numerous landscapes, seascapes and flower paintings, Nolde also produced many works with biblical subjects.
About the Music
“Let the Children Come To Me”
Lyrics
Let the children come to me,
Never hinder them, never stop them,
O let the children come.
People were bringing children
Just to see the Lord.
And when the disciples stopped them,
This is what they heard:
Let the children come to me,
Never hinder them, never stop them,
O let the children come.
If you seek the kingdom,
Listen to what I say:
Unless you become like children,
you cannot know the way.
Then the Lord embraced them,
Held them in his care.
With love he bestowed his blessing,
With love he spoke this prayer:
Let the children come to me,
Never hinder them, never stop them,
O let the children come.
About the Composer
James V. Marchionda (b. 1947) is a Dominican priest, preacher, composer, conductor, singer, and woodwind instrumentalist, who offers workshops, lectures and concerts throughout the United States and abroad. Composer of over 100 sacred compositions, his work is published and available through World Library Publications, the music and liturgy division of the J.S. Paluch Company. In 2006 Father Jim was honored as the recipient of The Paluch Family Foundation Liturgy Award. Founded in 1995, the Foundation supports the pursuit of vocations in ordained ministry, religious life, and lay leadership.