GOSPEL READING:
Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-141 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, 3 and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; 10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.12 What do you think? If a man 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? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Meditation: Are you surprised to see the disciples
discussing with Jesus who is the greatest? Don't we do the same
thing? The appetite for glory and greatness seems to be inbred in
us. Who doesn't cherish the ambition to be "somebody" whom others
admire rather than a "nobody"? Even the Psalms speak about the
glory God has destined for us. You have made them a little
lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor (Psalm
8:5).
Whose glory do you seek?
Jesus made a dramatic gesture by placing a child next to himself
to show his disciples who really is the greatest in the kingdom of
God. What can a little child possibly teach us about greatness?
Children in the ancient world had no rights, position, or
privileges of their own. They were socially at the "bottom of the
rung" and at the service of their parents, much like the household
staff and domestic servants. What is the significance of Jesus'
gesture? Jesus elevated a little child in the presence of his
disciples by placing the child in a privileged position of honor
at his right side. It is customary, even today, to seat the guest
of honor at the right side of the host.
The lowly of heart empty themselves of pride
Who is the greatest in God's kingdom? The one who is humble and
lowly of heart - who instead of asserting their rights willingly
empty themselves of pride and self-seeking glory by taking the
lowly position of a servant and child before God. The simple of
heart know that they belong to God - he is their father, teacher,
and provider - the one who shows them the way of peace, joy, and
life everlasting. They are content to recognize their total
dependence on God who is the source of all goodness and every good
gift.
Jesus restores us to the people he has made holy
What does Jesus' story about a lost sheep tell us about God and
his kingdom? Shepherds normally counted their sheep at the end of
the day to make sure all were accounted for. Since sheep by their
very nature are very social, an isolated sheep can quickly become
bewildered and even neurotic. The shepherd's grief and anxiety is
turned to joy when he finds the lost sheep and restores it to the
fold. What was new in Jesus' teaching was the insistence that
sinners must be sought out and not merely mourned for. God does
not rejoice in the loss of anyone, but desires that all be saved
and restored to fellowship with him. That is why the whole
community of heaven rejoices when one sinner is found and restored
to fellowship with God (Luke 15:7). Seekers of the lost are much
needed today. Do you pray and seek after those you know who have
lost their way to God?
Lord Jesus, teach me your way of humility and simplicity of heart that I may find perfect joy in you. May your light shine through me that others may see your truth and love and find hope and peace in you.
Psalm 119:14,24,72,103,111,131
14. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.
24. Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.
72. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
103. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!.
111. Your testimonies are my heritage forever; yes, they are the joy of my heart.
131. With open mouth I pant, because I long for your commandments.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: What it
means to become a child a God, by Epiphanius the Latin (late
5th century)
"Here the Lord not only repressed the apostles' thoughts but also
checked the ambition of believers throughout the whole world, so
that he might be great who wanted to be least. For with this purpose
Jesus used the example of the child, that what he had been through
his nature, we through our holy living might become - innocent, like
children innocent of every sin. For a child does not know how to
hold resentment or to grow angry. He does not know how to repay evil
for evil. He does not think base thoughts. He does not commit
adultery or arson or murder. He is utterly ignorant of theft or
brawling or all the things that will draw him to sin. He does not
know how to disparage, how to blaspheme, how to hurt, how to lie. He
believes what he hears. What he is ordered he does not analyze. He
loves his parents with full affection. Therefore what children are
in their simplicity, let us become through a holy way of life, as
children innocent of sin. And quite rightly, one who has become a
child innocent of sin in this way is greater in the kingdom of
heaven. And whoever receives such a person will receive Christ." (excerpt
from INTERPRETATION OF THE GOSPELS 27)
