Gospel in Art: People were bringing little children to Jesus

Christ blessing the Children, by Nicolaes Maes, 1653 © National Gallery, London

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 26th February 2022 - Mark 10:13-16

People were bringing little children to Jesus, for him to touch them. The disciples turned them away, but when Jesus saw this he was indignant and said to them, 'Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.' Then he put his arms round them, laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing.

Reflection on the Painting

Our Gospel reading today tells us of the very special place young children have in God's plan. The very first word in our reading is 'people'. People were bringing children to Jesus. Who are these people? They are the parents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, friends, neighbours, etc… They all had heard about Christ's love and what He shared about the eternal life. That is what they wanted for their children, a blessing from Jesus. The end of that same first sentence says 'for Jesus to touch them', meaning giving an embrace or a blessing.

Blessings are important. Biblically, blessings go all the way back to the to the book of Genesis. Noah blessed two of his sons, Isaac blessed his children too, and Jacob blessed his sons. They all, with parental love, wanted the best for their children. So it became a strong tradition with the Jewish elders who practised, when blessing their children, that the parent should touch the child (as in laying their hands on the child's head), so that the child may be strong in the Law, faithful in marriage, and abundant in good works.

I remember that when I was young, my mother would make a sign of the cross on my forehead before I went to bed, saying the words in Flemish 'God zegen je en God beware je' (may the Lord bless you and keep you). The physical element of touch is important when blessing: a touch of love, a touch of compassion.

Our artwork by Dutch painter Nicolas Maes depicts Jesus blessing a little girl by laying hands on her. Christ holds the child's wrist firmly as she tries to turn away from Him, finger in mouth, not quite knowing what is going on. Christ is depicted in a classical robe, surrounded by people in 17th-century dress. Maes thus wanted to stress the eternal qualities of Jesus by putting him in a timeless cloak. The only bits of colour in this darkly toned painting are the reds of Jesus' cloak, the small girl's cheeks and a baby's arm towards the top left. The reds unite Jesus with the children….

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/1096
Christian Art - www.christian.art