But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Welcome to Brothers and Sisters, the weekly meetup for prayer* and community at Daily Kos. We put an asterisk on pray* to acknowledge that not everyone uses conventional religious language, but may want to share joys and concerns, or simply take solace in a meditative atmosphere. Anyone who comes in the spirit of mutual respect, warmth and healing is welcome.
The opening quote is Matthew 19:14 from the King James Translation.
I believe that many people in this country have confused what this verse means-- it isn't actually calling for causing children TO suffer.
The migrant child issue at our southern border is a humanitarian issue first and foremost, in my opinion. It is true that it is a political issue as well. It is a humanitarian crisis caused by a whole bunch of political policy decisions... some of them made with good intention and some of them not.
I have no solution for the issue... but I know in my heart that innocent children do not deserve harsh treatment. The people who scream profanities at them and spit on them and suggest that we simply drop them back across the border are wrong... and they are mean spirited.
From the New American Bible, New Edition:
Matthew 10:42
And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple—amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.
from Mark Chapter 10: Blessing of the Children...
13
And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.
14
When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
15
Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child* will not enter it.”
16
Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.
May reason and empathy win out over selfishness and spite...
Peace,
Dee
For more information on this humanitarian/political issue:
A brief primer...
Turning our backs on immigrant children...
Mexico's official response...
Immigration & Child Refugees...
Pastoral care for child migrants...