Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Priest and Martyr

Title

Let the Children Come to Me

Outline

On the Journey Home I have heard several people talk about being brought up in homes in which religion was left to the the child to decide on when they were “of age”.

Of course, by that time the world has had a lot of input and the youth is already part of his culture

By that time they have realized that their parents were effectively “nones” and so have been indoctrinated in that direction

And by that time they have received a ton of cultural input: I read this week about a school district telling Catholic parents to remove their children from the district if they did not want LBGTQ+ instruction activities in kindergarten.

In this light it is good to see what our texts say

First, early influences are significant

Joshua notes not just that their ancestors had served other deities, but that they knew about such service and it was an option for them, even if they were not currently doing so.

Family systems influence us transmitting down the generations. And sometimes we are not even aware of the influence.

Joshua calls them to bring their options to consciousness and to make a conscious and firm choice for Yahweh.

He calls them to this freely - he has made his choice, but they need to make theirs

Often such choices meant a conscious burial of the religious objects of the past

Thus Maximillian Kolbe focused on youth and getting them to make a choice for Jesus and the Church, which often meant rejecting their family choices.

Second, Jesus receives children before the child is choosing.

The disciples did not like this, for children had no status, no social standing or power.

Jesus insists on blessing children who had been brought to him

Their parents had made the decision - and parents make many decisions for children

He made the reception - God often receives us before we are conscious

Last Sunday I met a second grader who was excited that she would be making her first communion: her parents had brought her to baptism and to church and presumably had some spiritual formation in the family. Now she is building on this willingly, not at all aware of what she is arming herself for in the future.

In my case, my parents made a choice to dedicate me and certainly had religious formation at home and brought us to church. They did not know that they were laying the foundation for my coming into the Catholic Church 6 decades later.

God made his own decision and received me in a way they did not realize, working it out over 6 decades.

Sisters, there are two sides to this

You have inherited gods and behavior patterns from your ancestors, some of which are indeed godly and some not at all godly. You and I have to bring them to consciousness and make concrete decisions and plans to reject all but the service of the one God

The children and youth you teach come with the baggage of their families, but no matter how young they can be brought to Jesus and he will receive them. And most you deal with can be led to a conscious choice of Jesus. You may not see the result, but our Lord receives them.

Maximillian Kolbe knew both sides of this truth. He focused on youth and made a difference in lives. But he also focused on his character and lived like Jesus, and that made a difference in many more lives.

Let us meditate on these truths and never forget how important they are.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 8-14-2021: Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Priest and Martyr

FIRST READING

Joshua 24:14–29

14 “Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve him completely and sincerely. Cast out the gods your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 If it is displeasing to you to serve the LORD, choose today whom you will serve, the gods your ancestors served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

16 But the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods. 17 For it was the LORD, our God, who brought us and our ancestors up out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. He performed those great signs before our very eyes and protected us along our entire journey and among all the peoples through whom we passed. 18 At our approach the LORD drove out all the peoples, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God.”

19 Joshua in turn said to the people, “You may not be able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy God; he is a passionate God who will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. 20 If you forsake the LORD and serve strange gods, he will then do evil to you and destroy you, after having done you good.”

21 But the people answered Joshua, “No! We will serve the LORD.” 22 Joshua therefore said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the LORD.” They replied, “We are witnesses!” 23 “Now, therefore, put away the foreign gods that are among you and turn your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.” 24 Then the people promised Joshua, “We will serve the LORD, our God, and will listen to his voice.”

25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem. 26 Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the terebinth that was in the sanctuary of the LORD. 27 And Joshua said to all the people, “This stone shall be our witness, for it has heard all the words which the LORD spoke to us. It shall be a witness against you, should you wish to deny your God.” 28 Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to their own heritage.

29 After these events, Joshua, son of Nun, servant of the LORD, died at the age of a hundred and ten,

RESPONSE

Psalm 16:5a

5 LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,

you have made my destiny secure.

PSALM

Psalm 16:1–2a, 5, 7–8, 11

1 A miktam of David.

Keep me safe, O God;

in you I take refuge.

2 I say to the LORD,

you are my Lord,

you are my only good.

5 LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,

you have made my destiny secure.

7 I bless the LORD who counsels me;

even at night my heart exhorts me.

8 I keep the LORD always before me;

with him at my right hand, I shall never be shaken.

11 You will show me the path to life,

abounding joy in your presence,

the delights at your right hand forever.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Matthew 11:25

25 At that time Jesus said in reply, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.

GOSPEL

Matthew 19:13–15

13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 8-14-2021: Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Priest and Martyr

SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2021 | MEMORIAL

SAINT MAXIMILIAN MARY KOLBE, PRIEST AND MARTYR

YEARS 1 & 2 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

On the same date: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Vigil

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