Matthew 19:13-15 Then were there brought to him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.… From Christ has been derived the custom among Christians, that lax; people, and especially children, should ask a blessing from their elders and from priests. This is the case in Belgium, where boys will run up to the priests and religious men, and ask them to sign them with the sign of the cross. They are taught to do this, both by the catechists and by their parents. Remigius says this was a custom among the Jews before the time of Christ. The great Sir Thomas More, the glory of England and a martyr, when he was Lord High Chancellor, publicly asked his aged father to give him his blessing. Moreover, the Church uses this ceremony of imposition of hands in baptism, confirmation, and orders. It is to pray for and obtain the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Lapide.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. |
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