ACC ~ Mark 10 v13 - 16

OVERVIEW:

The ancient Christian exegetes repeatedly celebrated the way in which children are welcomed and blessed by the Lord (CYPRIAN, AUGUSTINE). In this way the reception of preparatory or prevening grace begins from infancy (BASIL). Those who come to the Lord who have not yet exercised the use of free will are not yet held accountable for voluntary acts that befit repentance (AUGUSTINE).

10:13 | They Were Bringing Children to Him, That He Might Touch Them

WHO IS EXEMPT FROM REPENTENCE?

AUGUSTINE: When any people, you see, who are already of an age to make free decisions of will, approach the sacraments of the faithful, they cannot begin the new life unless they repent of the old. It’s only babies that are exempt from this kind of repentance when they are baptized; after all they are not yet capable of making free choices.

However, the faith of those who present them for baptism can avail them for sanctification and the remission of original sin; thus whatever defilement of wrongdoing they may have contracted through others, of whom they have been born, they can be purged of it through the interrogation of these others and the replies they give. SERMON 351.2. [1]

[1] Cetedoc 0284, 351.39.1537.13; WSA 3 10:120. In Augustine’s days, the baptismal rite included the interrogation of those to be baptized about the faith. When the infants were baptized, their parents or godparents answered the questions for them.

10:14 | Let the Children Come to Me

WHETHER REMISSION IS GRANTED TO CHILDREN WHO AFTERWARD BELIEVE

CYPRIAN: Even to the foulest offenders, when they afterward believe, remission of sin is granted. [1] On this premise no one is prohibited from baptism and grace. [2] How much more should an infant be admitted, who, just born, has not sinned in any respect, except that, being born of the flesh according to Adam, has in his first birth contracted the contagion of the ancient deadly nature. [3] Would not such a child obtain remission of sins with the less difficulty, because not his own actual guilt, but that of another, is to be remitted? Our sentence therefore, dearest brother, in the Council [4] was that none by us should be prohibited from baptism and the grace of God, who is merciful and kind to all. [5] LETTER 58. [6]

[1] Cf. Acts 10:43.

[2] Cf. Mk 16:16; 1 Cor 12:13.

[3] Cf. Rom 5:12.

[4] Council of Carthage, A.D. 254.

[5] Acts 2:38-39.

[6] Cetedoc 0433, 62A.9.16.7; Ad Fidum 5-6; GMI 239; ANF 5:354.

WHEN THE RECEPTION OF GRACE BEGINS

BASIL: The apostle praised one [Timothy] who had known the holy Scripture from infancy. [1] He also instructed that children be reared “in the discipline and correction of the Lord.” [2] So we consider every time of life, even the very earliest, suitable for receiving persons into the community of faith. THE LONG RULES 15. [3]

[1] 2 Tim 3:15.

[2] Eph 6:4.

[3] FC 9:264*; TLG 2040.048, 31.952.13-18.