“And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.[…] See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. (Matt. 18:5-6,10)
In Family, social meetings, or any other commercial place where children are present, there are moments of everything: laughter, shouts, arguments, anger, and tears. Children act naturally; they are authentic and free and do not pretend to be anything. They do not worry about anything; they live trusting and knowing that their parents and adults care for and protect them; they even know they have their Guardian Angel. Jesus in the gospel, there is no doubt that He loves children, and not only that, but He says something very fascinating, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.” Wow, this is very beautiful; Jesus tells us that a child represents Him simply for being a child. This leads us to another important point: how to treat, see, and care for each child, just like Jesus himself.
However, Jesus also, in the gospel, tells us something very serious about the danger that threatens a child for being small and vulnerable to the evil in this world. Jesus warns of a terrible sentence to anyone who dares to do any harm to a child, “It would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Jesus warns us about the great care and respect we must have for all children; whether they are your children or not, we must take care of them as Jesus asks us to. Jesus also says, “That their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” What does that mean? One of the Church fathers shares this.
The angels offer God daily prayers for those to be saved by Christ. Therefore, it is very dangerous to despise the One whose desires and petitions come by the service and ministry of the angels to the eternal and invisible God. (St. Hilary)
It is evident here that God wants and cares for the salvation of all. Not only for children but in a very clear way, Jesus wants no one to be despised, much less a child. Saint John Paul II, in several speeches, spoke to us about a great danger to which we are all exposed; he referred to the culture of Death. A culture without God, without love, without respect, without values, and without dignity. A dehumanized culture that no longer cares for the weakest and most defenseless, the children. It is unfortunate to hear in the news about the violence, evil, and abuse suffered by children and the vulnerable worldwide. Yes, the most vulnerable in society.
Saint Paul says: “Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the devil’s tactics. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. […] With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones” (Eph. 6; 11-12, 18)
We cannot deny that the influence of the evil one is real and that he acts on weak people who have been able to cause serious harm to the most vulnerable beings.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and our Archbishop of Denver, Samuel J Aquila, invites us to pray for all children, as well as other vulnerable people such as the elderly or disabled so that they are protected in their vulnerability and for the healing of those who have been mistreated. Let us also pray for parents, social workers, and all institutions dedicated to working in the care and education of children and the most vulnerable adults so that God may grant them the grace and virtue to care for each child with respect and dignity, being aware of the excellent care and responsibility they have before God and human authorities.
May the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, models of virtue and respect in the Holy Family of Nazareth, intercede for all the world’s children so that they are treated, protected, and loved like Jesus himself.