Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” ~ Mark9:37
As we mourn the death of Elliott Knopf, the Lord challenges us this weekend with life-giving words that might be summarized this way: “Welcome children with love and you are welcoming me.”
When a young person dies we are rattled with an almost incessant “Why?” A fair question, but our faith helps us to pivot from that to the image of this Sunday’s Gospel where Jesus hugs a child. That loving action makes a bold statement about how to welcome (“receive”) children who were – at the time – often remanded to a different room when adults gathered.
Welcoming children into our hearts is an exquisite opportunity to remind us adults to see the world with eyes of wonder. Young people call us to be conscious of and attentive to the fragility of humanity. As God and parents continue to form them in faith and virtue, children remain vulnerable to all that life throws at them. They need great care as they navigate a complicated world. Growing up too fast is too much of a reality these days, and we who are grown-up owe it to our young ones to love them through every joy and sorrow and remind them of how God is right smack in the middle – cheering them on, loving them through every moment, and offering friendship in lonely moments.
Jesus hugging that child in front of his followers and the rest of the crowd was a radical action at the time. In a way, it allows us to embrace this truth about children and all of us: it’s o.k. not to be o.k. and to seek the gift of love and support from someone we trust. May we teach our children that and may we always provide moments of trust and stay committed to receiving any hurt, anxiety, fear, and darkness they are experiencing and solemnly promise to walk with them on a path to healing, light, and love that comes from Christ.
Elliott is – and always will be – a beloved child of God. I pray that his amazing life along with the love he received from his parents and brothers and his many friends will always be signs to us of God’s goodness and care. May the angels lead Elliott to Heaven. May all of us – children and adults alike – say with the psalmist: “Behold, God is my helper; the Lord sustains my life.”
With faith in the hope of Eternal Life,
Welcome to the Saint Aloysius! Our parish was founded in 1896 to serve the Catholic families that were settling in the greater New Canaan area.