Suffer the Little Children in Ottawa

 

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

“If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. 

                                         Matthew 18:1-6

I last wrote in this Groundling blog a week ago and I reflected on the assault on the sense of hearing for those living in proximity to the insurrection near Parliament Hill in Ottawa. For a time it seemed that an agreement to end to the blaring noise which was affecting everyone who lived in proximity to the encampment of transport trucks. 

That ceasefire has been intermittent and this morning a reporter tweeted that the din was as loud as it had ever been last night, although most of the trucks and their horns are now farther away from residential areas. 

I think it's horrific that in the midst of this cacophony there are approximately 100 children who have been brought to the sites by their parents. Not only are they subjected to intense noise levels, which studies shwo affects children more than adults. Not only that, they have been forced to endure diesel fumes throughout this debacle, and again children are more vulnerable to air pollution. And what about their absence from school. This is a hostage-taking, not parenting. 

It's sad that some of these alleged adults are "beam me up Scotty" Christians who seem to care about nothing more than their personal grievances in this life and a pie-in-the-sky prospect of the life to come. Their unvaccinated kids are suffering in so many ways, and we have to wonder how it is that Indigenous children are still regularly scooped from families  while this abuse in Ottawa goes on without intervention from Children's Aid or anyone else with authority to do so. We are all children of the God of Creation and Incarnation, and so our senses matter, and so do our lungs which receive life-giving air. 

Jesus blessed children and although he was rarely "smitey" in his teaching he offered a dire warning to those who brought harm to vulnerable little ones. Hey folks, this is gospel truth for all Groundlings.  

Thanks God police are concerned about the safety as children as removals are imminent. We can pray for their safety.