The Word of God
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. 'Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.
Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Children are born free of prejudice and they are totally open to learning. This is a quality we all need. To be totally open and free of prejudice when it comes to listening to God. To trust completely. Then we are ready to receive everything that God wants us to have and to become everything God wants us to become.
- To welcome a person who has these qualities in Jesus’ name is to welcome Christ. Who might that person be today?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- ‘Unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven’. This was certainly an unexpected reply to the disciples’ question about who is greatest in the Kingdom. I try to bring to mind a child I know well, and ask myself what it would mean for me to become like him or her: grow in simplicity, in trust, in playfulness and the ability to rejoice, to wonder... I let myself be surprised by Jesus’ reply, and ask him to make me more suited to enter the kingdom.
- As I listen to Jesus, I recall the terrible scandal of child abuse, within and outside the Church. I pray for pardon, for healing, for conversion, for humility, for peace in people’s hearts. We pray for courageous leaders, transparent and robust structures and mentalities that safeguard children everywhere.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus here portrays God as watching out for everyone, especially those who are vulnerable and dependant. Jesus did that himself, and as a disciple, so must I! It is a humbling task, but it carries a divine reward, because when I welcome a vulnerable person I am welcoming the Lord himself.
- All those who serve others are building God’s kingdom of love! It transforms life if we see that all those who serve us—shopkeepers, attendants, pilots, cashiers, medics, mechanics—are playing a vital part in building the divine community of love.
- “Love, therefore, is the practical service that we offer to others. Love is not a word, it is a deed, a service; humble service, hidden and silent” (Pope Francis).
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus is telling us very clearly that every life is precious in his eyes. Every person I meet is invaluable and irreplaceable. Jesus turns conventional attitudes upside down: the ‘little ones’, the people whom the world does not rate as important, are the most precious of all. Will my attitudes today reflect this?
- If I were the only person in the world needing salvation, Jesus would still die for me. Does that thrill me or terrify me? Why?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus turns popular values upside down. Who are the people around me who are overlooked? It is unlikely to be children – more probably it is those who offer humble service, the poor, people who are in some way different. Jesus asks what it would be like for me to be in their lowly state. How do I show welcome to the neglected? What do I learn from them?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- How hard it is for us to become as little children! Our heads rule our hearts in so many ways. We have lost the innocence of childhood, and the art of entrusting things into the hands of our Father. We want to do everything for ourselves because we feel we know best what is good for us.
- ‘How great is your name, Lord, above all the earth.’ Jesus, over and over again you seek ways to tell us of your great love for us. You are a searching God – you look for us when we are lost. Yet time and time again we pay no attention to you.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Because we are competitive we are anxious to know who is the best, the cleverest, the greatest. Status means a great deal to us. Jesus shocks the disciples by saying that without the humility and simplicity of little children, we are not even in the race.
- ‘Despise’ is a strong word. It implies hatred and contempt. To treat a child, born or unborn, with hatred and contempt is to be far from the kingdom of heaven. And yet….the Good Shepherd searches for the wandering sheep.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus offers two strong images: the humble child and dependent sheep. I might choose one of these and, in quiet prayer, let it unfold its meaning for me now.
- The disciples were used to the competitive and comparative habits of adults. Jesus showed them that there is another way of seeing the world. I pray for the humility that I need to walk more slowly and talk more simply.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Among Jesus' greatest concerns was his care for the weak and the little ones. Here we are introduced to children - a group who had little place in society and no rights. The sheep who was lost would take the total care of the good shepherd, even to the point of leaving them to find the lost one, and risking losing all he had and all - his livelihood. The care of the church is to be similar - a special care in love for the ones in society whom nobody wants. How easy to say, how difficult to do!
- Jesus valued the lost and the little - the child was not valued much in his culture, and who would want to search for one lost sheep and risk losing the ninety-nine. A constant theme of Jesus' preaching and of his life was the importance of the little one and the lost one. That's why he looks for you and me!