On more than one occasion, I said I would love to have a congregation of 3-year-olds. No financial benefits, but so much fun! Children's sermons were always a highlight, although a woman in Benton referred to it as "circus-time"! The gospel lesson for today includes two passages that sound so different. Mark 10:13-16 emphasizes Jesus' words about the importance of children (too often seen as non-persons) in the kingdom of God. The earlier portion of that chapter, Mark 10:1-12, relates an episode of Pharisees questioning Jesus about the legality of divorce. Tough words to digest if you or loved ones are divorced. But I wonder if the point of Jesus' answer isn't missed.

The posed question is a provocative, political one that caused John the Baptist to lose his head when he questioned the marital status of Herod Antipas who had divorced his wife in order to marry his former sister-in-law. Not just a trick question intended to trap or embarrass Jesus about the Law. Maybe a wrong answer implying criticism of the king will result in the death of Jesus as well. 

Jesus answered the Pharisees that Moses legalized divorce because of hard hearts. I think it's the same issue in the following passage, that the disciples dismissed the children because of hard hearts. My own denomination has fractured because of hard hearts. Unable to see women, children, immigrants, anyone who is different as real because of hard hearts. God's community is intended to be inclusive but grudges, judgmentalism, and hatred get in the way. 

By the way, this photo is from Acadia National Park.