Matthew 19 in my Bible journaling is very fitting right now as I prepare for our upcoming school year. This year I will have children in 12th, 10th, 8th, 6th, 4th, 2nd and a three year old…ay yi yi! Pray for me. The task seems daunting…physically, emotionally and spiritually. And here in Matthew 19 I read the call of Jesus to His disciples and the mothers of the little children, “Jesus said, “Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.””
This command was given for all time. Parents, and those who represent them, ought to bring their children to Jesus; they ought to take care that they are, first of all, admitted into the Church by holy Baptism; that they learn to know and love Him by means of a Christian education; and that, as soon as they are capable of receiving it, they are united to Him by Holy Communion, and strengthened in virtue by the imposition of hands and anointing of Confirmation.
Our Lord’s behavior to the children imposes on those who teach them the imperative duty of always loving the children committed to their charge in an especial manner, as the favorites of our Lord; of trying to be a real blessing to these little ones by word and example; and of never being turned from this duty, either by the weariness of the burden…To lead children to Jesus is the highest ideal of Christian education.
—A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture
POWERful Bible Journaling: Matthew 19
P –I am excited and nervous Lord. I feel the weight of my vocation to teach my children to know, love and serve You in this life so they can be happy with You forever in the next.
O –It is no coincidence I believe that our Lord’s teaching on divorce precedes His blessing of the children…and then our Lord states, ” And all who have left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or farms because of my name will receive one hundred times more and will inherit eternal life.” But I am not even sure where or how this call to leave even family behind for the Kingdom fits?
W —vs 22…But when the young man heard this, he went away saddened, because he had many possessions.
E –What do I possess that keeps me from You? Is it a physical possession? Something mentally or emotionally I am clinging to?
R –I pray Lord rather than go away saddened, I would have the courage to get rid of whatever keeps me from You.
Please leave your POWERful reflections in the comments
Michelle says
I must confess that today, I didn’t have my usual strength and zeal for this. I opened my Morning Offering and read:
“Never give up prayer, and should you find dryness and difficulty, persevere in it for this very reason. God often desires to see what love your soul has, and love is not tried by ease and satisfaction.”
— St. John of the Cross
I was also longing for a childlike trust. And this is what was next:
“There would be no sense in saying you trusted a person if you would not take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him.”
— C. S. Lewis
“All of these things I have observed. What do I still lack?”
Deb00 says
Thanks for sharing that from St. John of the Cross! I so needed that too
Jenny says
Makes me think of one of my favorite songs, “Trust and Obey.”
Debbi says
Just loving
the Bible study Jenny
I’m also having troubles posting.
deb00 says
P- Dear Lord, I ask for blessings for Braden as he prepares to start a new school year. Open his mind and heart to grow in Faith and hear/know his vocation! As Ryan embarks on his 1st year out of school, open his heart to become the man You made him to be and help him to find an interest in which he can give You glory. Please help him to know his vocation in life.
O- Beautiful teaching on marriage, children and not having false gods such as money
W- Mt. 19:4-5 Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh’
E- What a different teaching/mindset from our world today. I should never fear standing strong against gay unions
R- Dear Lord grant me the courage and strength to stand strong and with love in re: to your teachings and the natural law placed in all of our hearts.
deb00 says
love your post, Jenny! and what a beautiful reminder to all of us