"And they were bringing children to Him, that He might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it He was indignant, and said to them, 'Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.' And He took them in His arms and blessed them, laying His hands on them."
I was reprimanded by a priest recently for having my infant son at Mass, as he makes noise. He insisted that if I bring him, I must go to the cry room at the back of the Church so that he is not heard.
I do not bring my son to Mass for entertainment. I bring him that he might be touched by Jesus - that he may be in His presence and receive the graces that are available at the Mass even to those who cannot receive communion. I will not be segregated for having been faithful to my vocation, nor allow my child to be segregated for being a child. The sounds of Bethlehem were not silenced by the Infant Jesus' divinity, for He was fully human. We will not be amputated from the Body of Christ because you prefer your voice to his.
Mass is not a movie or concert, merely for entertainment. The faithful gather that they may receive the Eucharist and be physically united with their Savior and Lord. They gather to praise God with the angels and the saints, to add their voices to the Hosannas in heaven. Perhaps some voices are too young to articulate the words, or to know exactly what is happening - but is their understanding really that much worse than ours? The mystery of the sacrifice of the Mass is so beyond our human intellect, that really my infant son has, on that scale, just as good a grasp on it as the most learned theologian or mystic. It is recognizing this Truth that enables us to humble ourselves and become like children who may enter the kingdom of God.
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