Sunday, June 05, 2022
Sunday Reflection: The value of who we are right now
It's so sad to read about the victims of the mass murder in Uvalde, Texas. But one thing I have admired about some of the coverage is that it has described the children who died in the present tense-- talking about who they were, what they loved and what they added to the lives of people around them, instead of just talking about who they might have become someday.
That's a real failing in our society: too often we talk about children just in terms of their potential, and older people just in terms of who they used to be. In neither case do we honor their true human dignity; there is great value in who they are right now. Children have wisdom sometimes, and often are funny and loving. That's not potential, it's in the present. And with older people, they are more than just reminiscence machines! They exist in this moment, too, and need to be part of discussions in the present.
Intriguingly, Jesus always took people as they were. When he gathered the children, he didn't say "This is the future!" the way we too often do. Here is a passage from Mark 10:
3 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Think about that-- Jesus is valuing the children as they are.
Being 40 doesn't make you more valuable than being 8 or 89. As with so many other aspects of the lives of those around us, we are called to love people as they are.
