These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.

XXVII ORDINARY SUNDAY

And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them,
"Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to
such as these.  Amen, I say to you,
whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it."
Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them. (Mk 10:2-16)

“No restless kids near Jesus, no crying babies!” Disciples in every age are the same: Children are to be seen but NOT heard. But Jesus has no problems with crying babies nor with restless kids. In fact, Jesus makes it very clear to the disciples by taking the kids into his arms and blessing them!