This Sunday's Gospel lesson is Mark 9:30-37. In it we see the disciples arguing over who's the greatest, Jesus calling them on it, and the demonstration that welcoming the child is central to the faith.

We often sentimentalize Jesus love of children. Paintings of Jesus surrounded by children often decorate our Sunday School halls. How can we help it? It is a beautiful and comforting image.

But we tend to forget that in it, Jesus offers us a challenge. In Jesus day, childhood was not easy. Children were often the first to fall victim to illness, famine and war. While families loved their children, they were not considered productive members of society and, as a result, were seen as less than human. In bringing forward a small, vulnerable child Jesus tells us that the Kingdom of God is concerned with those who are the least in society. While the disciples were arguing about their status and power, the needs of the poor and vulnerable were being neglected.

Who are the 'least' in our society? Who are the most vulnerable? And, most importantly, do we welcome them? These are the questions that are occupying me this week as I prepare for Sunday's message. What are you thinking about? What questions does the passage raise in your life?