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 their angels  in  heaven  always  see  the  face  of  My  Father  who  is in  heaven.”

The love  of  Jesus  for  children. How  touching  is  the  tender  affection shown by  our  Blessed  Lord  for  little  children,  the  young  ones  of  His  flock. What an  encouragement,  too,  for  those  who  seek  to  guard  them  from the dangers  of  the  world,  and  who  train  their  minds  in  the  ways  of  God! He pressed  these  little  ones  to  His  Heart,  and,  laying  His  sacred  Hands on them,  blessed  them. Now, what  was  His  object  in  blessing  them? The mothers  begged  His  blessing  for  their  children,  in  the  hope  that it might  preserve  them  from  sickness,  or  early  death. But our  Lord’s object was  far  higher. He imparted  His  divine  blessing  to  these  little ones, in  order  that  they  might  remain  humble,  innocent  and  pious,  and become worthy  members  of  His  kingdom. It was  because  they  are simple, humble,  believing  and  innocent  that  our  Lord  loved  children so much.

Those for  whom  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  intended.  Our  Lord  did not say  it  was  intended  literally  for  children,  but  for  such  as  they — not merely for  children  in  age,  but  for  those  who  are  childlike  in  heart, simple, believing,  and  humble.

“ Suffer little  children  to  come  unto  Me.”  This  command  was  given for all  times. 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.

Christian teachers.  Our  Lord’s  behaviour  to  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  favourites  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,  or  the  ingratitude  with  which  parents  may repay their  services. To lead  children  to  Jesus  is  the  highest  ideal  of Christian  education.

Our Lord's  Omniscience.  He  knew  why  His  disciples  were  disputing, and what  vain  thoughts  they  were  fostering  in  their  hearts.

Humility is  a beautiful  and  necessary  virtue. He who  wishes  to be  a follower  of  Jesus  must  renounce  pride  and  be  humble  of  heart