Lent Meditation: Day 34 - March 23, 2026

📖 Scripture Verse

Jesus sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

— Mark 9:35-37

🕯️Meditation

Children in the days of Jesus were considered a blessing. The were loved and cherished by their families, but they were also seen as the most powerless and vulnerable members of society. They didn’t have rights, if they had difficult family circumstances, there was no special agency looking out for their wellbeing. They were symbols not of what is cute and precious, but of what is weak and at risk of harm. Orphans were so at risk that God himself says he is their champion and protector. In the Old Testament book of psalms, we read “Father of orphans and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation” (68:5). Law after law in the Torah, and the message of many prophets is to defend and guard the orphan.

When Jesus tells his disciples to welcome the children, he is not calling on them to have a good Sunday School program (though that is a good thing!). He is calling them to treat with hospitality normally reserved for the powerful and important all those who are vulnerable and weak in the eyes of the world—especially children.

It is easy to get so caught up in our own lives and taking care of our own needs that we can neglect to extend hospitality and compassion in the name of Jesus—not out of malice, but out of simply overlooking those who are small and insignificant in the eyes of the world. Jesus takes the child and says “pay special attention here”. When you welcome those who are easy to overlook, you are welcoming me. It is in the little ones of this world that we are most able to be over service to Christ himself.

🙏 Prayer

Loving God, help me see the little ones of this world who are overlooked, or forgotten. Help me show hospitality and compassion to the least and the little and the lowly, because then I am welcoming You. Amen. 

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