The Gospel According to... Peter, Paul & Mary

13 Then children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.    Matthew 19: 13-15

I have a CD player in my car.  And I have a Peter, Paul and Mary CD titled “Peter, Paul, and Mommy,” which my grandchildren and I sing along with. I admit that we skip some songs, but typically sing “The Marvelous Toy,” “Boa Constrictor,” “Going to the Zoo,” and of course, “Puff the Magic Dragon”. On one occasion, we played those songs all the way from their home in Middlebury, CT to a campground in Mystic, CT.  I admit that I enjoy sharing music from my youth with them!

While Peter, Paul, and Mary sang a number of children’s songs and even have children singing with them in some of those, the trio is also known for their folk music with a social commentary message. Peter Yarrow, Paul Stookey, and Mary Travers began singing together in 1961 and were known for their activism in the Civil Rights movement and in protest of the Vietnam War in the 60’s and 70’s. Across generations, their music has appeal to adults and children alike.

In our scripture reading today, Jesus chastised his disciples for trying to prevent children from coming to him, saying “it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” This Sunday we will explore who Jesus might have in mind when he said, “such as these” and how the Peter, Paul, and Mary song “Day is Done,” sung by the trio and children, offers insight for accompanying “such as these” as they go from crying to smiling today.