The following piece was first written for the October 11, 2026 pew sheet at St Augustine’s Anglican Church. I share it here again in the hope that it may continue to encourage and bless.
In this Sunday's Gospel reading, people were bringing little children to Jesus so that he might place his hands on them and bless them. The disciples, however, rebuked them. Perhaps they thought that Jesus had more important things to do. Surely these little ones could wait until they were older and able to contribute something more significant! But Jesus would have none of it. He called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Jesus welcomed them, made time for them and blessed them. This should not surprise us. Jesus, the Son of God, came into the world to reveal the heart of God. Psalm 145 reminds us that "the Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made." God cares for the weak and lifts up those who fall. When Jesus walked among us, he embodied this heart of God. He had time for those whom society often overlooked – the poor, widows, orphans, the sick and those regarded as sinners. He also welcomed the rich, the educated and those in positions of influence. Jesus had time for everyone. Unlike us, he did not measure people's worth by their status, usefulness or social importance. The disciples' response to the children exposes something that can also exist in us. We can easily be attracted to those who seem important, successful or able to contribute, while overlooking those who appear insignificant. Jesus calls us to a different way. As followers of Christ, we are called to share his heart for the last, the least and the lost. This means welcoming children and nurturing the next generation, making room for those who are vulnerable or easily overlooked, engaging with our wider community, equipping one another to serve Christ, and using the resources God has entrusted to us for the advancement of his kingdom. This is also at the heart of our Parish Mission Action Plan. As we seek to put it into practice, may we continually ask: who needs to experience the welcome and compassion of Christ? May the Holy Spirit give us the heart of Jesus, so that our church may be a place where people are welcomed, valued, nurtured and encouraged to come to Christ.
Let us pray.
Gracious Father, you welcome us in your Son and call us your beloved children: give us the humility to receive your kingdom with childlike trust, and teach us to welcome and value those whom the world overlooks; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Photo: Silver Bush (Convolvulus cneorum) – photograph by Deo Vistar, Mawson Lakes, Adelaide.
