SATURDAY OF THE NINETEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, AUGUST 16, 2025

Fort Augustus Benedictine Abbey Graveyard, Scotland

MASS READINGS:

Gospel

Matthew 19:13-15

Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray.

The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

REFLECTION

Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." ...

Last thing I heard from him as he left me by the Benedictine monk's graveyard, "Don't stay too long". Perhaps I lost track of time but he was no where to be found nor were any of my family. Walking up and down the hill near Loch Ness, by the lake side, and back to the graveyard eventually back to town, my peace was turning into a hot kettle, beginning with a soft whistle, then building up some steam to finally a hissing loud shrill. When I found him, I was ready to let go of my built up boiling steam. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit intervened and loudly said, "You are here to help him get to heaven, give me your anger and love him."

Was I being childish or childlike? Children embody qualities that the kingdom of God values--trust, humility, dependence, joy and openness. They have total dependence on their parents for everything, as God tells us to totally depend on Him. And when they are lost, they don't harbor anger as a response but are happy and relieved when they see someone they love. We all matter to God, no matter our age. We are to trust Him without fear, to rejoice in His presence and let go of complicating our lives-shed anger, pride and self dependence on this journey if we want to enter the Kingdom of God.

May our heart be as simple and open as a child's to God and to one another.

God Bless You