We had one at Thanksgiving, and maybe you did too: the “children’s table.”
Grown-ups sat at the big dining room table with the turkey and the trimmings, while we kids ate at a smaller table nearby, trying our best to behave. A singular rite of passage was discovering one year that there was a place for you at the Big Table. Suddenly, you mattered. You could be trusted with a knife and a gravy boat!
Clearly, in Jesus’s day, there was a similar social structure dividing the large from the small, the grown-ups from the growing. But this Gospel shows not only that Jesus removed those barriers but that he had a special affection for those on the other side, those who were often considered small or insignificant.
Feel excluded? Come to the table. Bring childlike wonder and joy. Pull up a chair. There’s room.
So many need to hear that simple message today: You belong too.
1000 Amens.
Peggy yes the need our prayers. Sharing this prayer. Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Patroness of the United States of America, please help our country. Help us to return to what is decent, right, and proper, Help us to return to respect for ourselves and others, to self-control and self-discipline, and, especially, to a deep love for your Son and his teachings. Protect us from those who would destroy us from within. Our Lady, we place ourselves and our country under your mantle. Pray for us and help us. Amen Ken
Thank you Deacon Greg for this reflection. I would rather hear restless children at Mass than no children at all. " we must sow the seed, not hoard it." St. Dominic
Yes deacon Greg I remember the children's table. Living faith family please keep praying for Dennis and Shelly and Debbie and Anna as well as Amy and Terry. People in Ukraine and the middle east who need our prayers. Tomorrow is adoration chaple time please send me requests and I promise to include them. I am not a robot. . Ken
Do you know there is no 'grown-up' tables in the Kingdom of God? *** Mark 10:15, "What I’m about to tell you is true. Anyone who will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child will never enter it!" *** Matthew 18:1-5, "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to Him, and placed the child among them. And He said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in My Name welcomes Me!" *** Matthew 5:5, "Blessed are those who are humble. They will be given the earth!" ******* God calls us to be dependent (rely), trusting (believe) and open (receive) like a child! We are not called to be child-like in thinking and behavior, but in their humility and teachability!!! John 3:4-7, "“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “They can’t go back inside their mother! They can’t be born a second time!” Jesus answered, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can enter God’s kingdom unless they are born with water and the Holy Spirit. People give birth to people. But the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised when I say, ‘You must all be born again.’"
"Lord Jesus, may we never hinder our youth from coming to you to receive your blessing, help, and abundant life. Make our youth strong in faith, hope, and love that they may find true joy and fulfillment in following you as their Lord and Savior. And as we grow with age, may we never lose that child-like simplicity and humility which draws us ever deeper into your loving presence." Amen my prayer
Amen✝️
THANK YOU JESUS AND BLESSED MOTHER FOR HEARING MY PRAYERS. NOW LETS HOPE I FEEL BETTER. THANK YOU AMEN
Amen. :)
Praying for the Pope. Praying for immigrants, for workers losing their jobs, and for the poor, hungry and sick across the world who are in need of food and medical aid. Praying for Ukraine and its people.
Amen. Prayers for our country and the world.
Thank you, Frank. I pray God can make order & compassion where there is now chaos & seeming heartlessness. Where there is darkness, light shines brighter. Amen.
Amen✝️
Thank you, Frank. These are the people who Jesus talks about in our Gospel today. Praying for our Holy Father and the Ukrainian people.
Amen. Praying for those feeling excluded that they may be able to find a seat at the table. Amen.
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those in need. Come to the side of those experiencing violence in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, and the Sudan. Please hear the pleas of all those suffering around the world - and give them strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Thank you for your prayer, Jane.
Reminds me of this song: Come To The Table by Sidewalk Prophets https://youtu.be/DXXxLwxfo0U?si=M9YOmNvY_kNQkr9b
I'm sure a few of us are saying "Didn't we just put the Christmas decorations away?". And yet Lenten season is about to begin. May we challenge ourselves to do more with our time, talents and treasures. And in remembrance, I offer up 'a sinner's prayer'...Amen! Thank you, Holy Father, for this beautiful day and for this Gospel today. Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for my faith, my life and for my family. Thank you, Holy Father, most of all, for your great sacrifice and for the opportunity of forgiveness and reconciliation. Please Lord Jesus Christ have mercy. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ, King of Endless Glory. Amen Holy Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we ask that you release your warrior angels and heavenly hosts. We decry and declare that they would take us off the enemies' radar and scramble the enemies frequencies (airwaves). Your Kingdom must come now. Your will must be done right now, as in the heavens, also on earth. Amen Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host - by the power of God - Cast into hell satan and all evil spirits that prowl about the earth seeking the ruin of souls. Amen
Bill L…thank you for remembering “A Sinner” and her prayer. And to all the March celebrations of life and love - here’s to your special day(s)…God Bless Y’all, And All Who You Love!❣️
Thank you for sharing this Bill. Amen!
Including prayers and best wishes to all those celebrating birthdays/anniversaries this month.
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A prayer for Ukraine: God of love, our world is wrought with war and violence, as brother turns on brother, and the innocent awake to gunfire and bombs. May your compassion and healing move hearts and bring a new day to Ukraine.Fortify your children to resist aggression and instead become instruments of peace. We ask this in the name of the One who is the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.