Reading
Some people brought children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples scolded the people. When Jesus noticed this, he was angry and said to his disciples, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you that whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on each of them, and blessed them.
“That would be Kofi Annan!” my 8 year old responded, when being asked who they saw as influential leaders. “The (former) Secretary-General of the United Nations. A kind, caring person, who draws people together to make a safer, friendlier world.” The teacher was absolutely delighted and surprised. (I was reminded of the importance of our conversations around the dinner table and as we watched the news.) As a 28 year old, they still remember this pivotal question/answer situation – for it raised awareness of the significance of curiosity; deep listening and reflection; safe spaces to think, query and question; ‘a village’ of all-age relationships, rich with diverse attitudes and wise learnings. Jesus encouraged us to approach God ‘like a child’. How then shall we live? How then shall our Churches live? Do we create such a space as this for seekers and disciples to be nurtured, grow and be sustained?
Prayer – Faithful Curiosity
God of all,
we are your faithful, curious people.
To such as these you open your arms, loving God.
Too often our Church ways constrict openness and grace;
shadow new thoughts and curiosity with fear;
remain deaf to wondering queries that challenge our practises,
rippling transformation and renewal within our thinking and being,
as they offer dissimilar and diverse expressions of living faith in action.
With you we have no need for fear, only honesty.
For you, who call to us,
welcome us,
bless us
and refresh us.
To such as these you open your arms, loving God.
Welcome us, again and again, we ask.
We seek to be listening and learning people,
hearing you in the breath of the Spirit,
understanding you as we open ourselves to learning,
and living with Jesus’s Way of being.
To such as these you open your arms, loving God.
To such as these comes a blessed life, enfolded and lived in the arms of God. Amen
© Rev Anne Hewitt 30/09/2021
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Past Reflections and prayers can be found at churchestogethersa.org.au