READ: MATTHEW 19-13-15
But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Do not stop them. For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these. (V. 14)
Thanksgiving was two days away and all was quiet as my colleague, and I waited for the end of colleague our 3-11 PM shift. Shortly before 11PM we were notified that a woman had been shot to death in her apartment necessitating our response and a holiday filled with work. Neither of us were prepared for what we found at the scene of the shooting. Two small children, ages 4 and 7, had just witnessed their estranged father shoot their mother to death. For these children to have witnessed their father brutally slay their mother, the horror, panic, and fear was overwhelming. Our hearts ached for these two small victims of domestic violence, and we silently wondered how they would ever recover.
Due to the late hour no relatives could be located so we had them taken to our office to try in some small way to offer them comfort and support. Child Protective Services would come in the morning to locate relatives or place them in temporary foster care. Thinking a minister could help them deal with the trauma of the last few hours, we called their parish, and we bluntly informed the clergy were busy and unavailable. Apparently, holidays took precedence over the welfare of children. While I was letting my anger cool, Jesus went to work in the form of an experienced Detective who was called in t help with the investigation. In a gentle and fatherly manner, he took the children under his wing until were eventually placed in the care of family members. He was the face, hands, and voice Christ used to start to start the healing process. He was the one who assured them they would be safe and not forgotten pieces of a family that had been shattered by the blast of a shotgun.
After the children had left the police station, the Detective who had cared for them for over six hours, produced a picture drawn by the older child. It graphically depicted their father shooting their mother as they stood by the side of her bed. Unable to speak of the incident, the Detective wisely had him create a picture that spoke more about the incident than his young words could ever express. Eventually the picture saved the children from a future grueling court appearance as it ended any rational defense to the crime by their father. Thank you, Jesus, for your presence and helping the children through one kind-hearted, understanding, and compassionate Police Detective.
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
How can you be more Christ-like with the children who enter your life?
Jesus, the world can be a cruel place for our children. Please place all endangered children under your care and let them enjoy the sunshine and smile of your precious face. Amen