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Gospel Reading for May 25, 2024 – Mark 10: 13-16
ADULTERATED
People were bringing children to Jesus 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 the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them.
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The verb ADULTERATED comes from the Latin word “adulterare,” which means “to falsify,” or “to corrupt.” When something original, pure, fresh or wholesome is marred, polluted, defaced, or otherwise made inferior, it has been ADULTERATED. It is amusing to note that we find the root word “adult” in the verb. It is like saying, that an adult is no longer the child who is original, pure, fresh and wholesome. Truly, the face or image of God is reflected more in a child than in an adult. Jesus probably became indignant because the children were not given importance by the disciples. On the other hand, the disciples must have thought that the children did not need Jesus yet. Whatever the reasons were, Jesus used the attributes of children to describe how we should be if we are to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
How parents bring up their children will impact a lot on what kind of adults they will be. If they are well loved and well taught, well informed about the evils that lurk in our society, they will not become “adulterated” even if they grow into adults. They will be GIFTS TO THE WORLD. Parents have to be well aware of all that’s happening around them and around the world, especially laws enacted by our lawmakers that will “adulterate” their children.
It is very important for parents to realize that they do not OWN their children. The children who belong to God as we all are, are just entrusted to them to be honed into the persons God meant them to be. This way, they partake in Christ’s salvific mission.
Bless all children, Lord, keep them safe from all harm!
