14 November 2026 · Syro-Malabar Rite
Open in the Daily Word appAlso: Syro-Malankara Rite · Latin Rite · മലയാളം
“Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” Matthew 19:14
The Bible ends where it began, in a garden: the river of the water of life flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb, and the tree of life bears fruit every month, its leaves for the healing of the nations. “They will see his face… there will be no more night.” This is the goal of the Church's journey.
And who enters? Those like children. The disciples try to keep the children away; Jesus says, “Let them come.” The Kingdom belongs to those who receive it as a gift, with open hands and trusting hearts. On this Saturday, often kept in honour of Mary, we remember her as the humble handmaid who received everything as gift.
Theme: “Like children, toward the river of life.”
The vision of the heavenly city and Jesus' welcome to the little ones.
“Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.” Ezekiel 47:12
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” Revelation 22:1
Apply: Thank God for the grace that flows from the sacraments.
““Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!” Your face, LORD, do I seek.” Psalm 27:8
“They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night.” Revelation 22:4–5
Apply: End the day with a prayer of longing for heaven.
“Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have founded a bulwark because of your foes.” Psalm 8:2
“But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”” Matthew 19:14
Apply: Pray with the children in your family tonight.
The journey of the Church ends at the river of life.
Let us go there as children.
Take-home resolution: Teach a child one short prayer this week.
Dear friends, the Bible ends where it began, in a garden: the river of the water of life flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb; the tree of life bears fruit every month, and its leaves are for the healing of the nations. They will see his face, and there will be no more night (Revelation 22:1–5).
Jesus shows the way to that glory in the Gospel. When people brought little children to him, the disciples spoke sternly to them. But Jesus said: let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs (Matthew 19:14).
Heaven belongs to the humble and the trusting. Let nothing stop us from bringing our children to Jesus: Holy Qurbana, family prayer, catechism. And let us too take the Father's hand with the simple faith of a child. Amen.
Children, Jesus said: let the little children come to me. Jesus loves you very much! Talk to him today like a friend.
Lord Jesus, you welcome the little ones. Make me childlike in trust, and lead me to the river of life, where I shall see your face and there will be no more night. Amen.
The Bible ends where it began, in a garden with a river and the tree of life. In the new Jerusalem God's servants worship him and see his face. The Gospel shows the way in: Jesus welcomes the little children, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Those who come to him like children are the ones who will see God's face.
Setting.
This is the last vision of Revelation, the end of the description of the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven (21:1–22:5). John gathers images from the whole Bible: the river of Eden (Genesis 2:10); the river flowing from the Temple in Ezekiel's vision, with trees whose leaves are for healing (Ezekiel 47:1–12); and the tree of life, guarded after the fall (Genesis 3:22–24).
Structure.
Key words.
Verse by verse.
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb” (22:1)
One throne for God and the Lamb: the risen Christ shares the Father's throne.
“Nothing accursed will be found there any more.” (22:3)
“they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.” (22:4)
What Moses was refused (Exodus 33:20) is given to all God's servants. The name on the forehead recalls the gold plate on the high priest's turban, engraved “Holy to the Lord” (Exodus 28:36–38): all the redeemed are priests.
How the Church reads it.
The Catechism calls this contemplation of God in heavenly glory the beatific vision (CCC 1028), and sees in “the river of the water of life” one of the most beautiful symbols of the Holy Spirit, in the heavenly liturgy in which the Church on earth already shares (CCC 1137). Every Holy Qurbana is a sharing in the worship of “his servants” before the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Setting.
In Matthew this scene stands between Jesus' teaching on marriage (19:3–12) and the rich young man (19:16–22). It was a custom to ask a respected teacher to bless children. The disciples think the Teacher has more important work to do.
Structure.
Key words.
Verse by verse.
“Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray.” (19:13)
The laying on of hands is a gesture of blessing (Genesis 48:14). Matthew says that Jesus did so before he went on his way (19:15).
“Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” (19:14)
Mark adds that Jesus was indignant with the disciples and took the children up in his arms (Mark 10:14, 16).
How the Church reads it.
The Catechism teaches that to become a child in relation to God is the condition for entering the Kingdom (CCC 526). Jesus' tenderness toward children, shown in these words, allows the Church to hope for children who die without baptism, and makes all the more urgent her call not to keep little children from coming to Christ through baptism (CCC 1250, 1261).