29. Translation

"People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. But Jesus called for them and said,

'Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.'

*****

'Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.'" Luke 18: 15-16

*****

In those times

children were beneath men's notice

empty vessels--ciphers--

yet you said

Let the children come

as children boldly will

fearless

without hesitation

without restraint

Allow them through

Pave the way

Let them come.

Or suffer?

Was that, instead, your command?

Did you mean suffer because of them? Or suffer for them?

Your friends suffered

when you spent your precious time--

precious little time--

on those

who were as yet

unformed,

inconsequential.

Yet you suffer

whenever a small one in need

comes to you

appeals to you for help.

Today we suffer too.

When, knowing that we would

give our lives

for them--

our children--

we have no other choice,

no other recourse,

than to suffer them to you,

surrender them to you,

let them come

to you.