August 13, 2019

Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
At that time, the disciples came to Jesus and asked him, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child, set the child in the midst of the disciples, and said, “I assure you, that, unless you change, and become like little children, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble, like this child, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and whoever receives such a child, in my name, receives me.
See that you do not despise any of these little ones; for I tell you, their angels in heaven continually see the face of my heavenly Father.
What do you think of this? If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them strays, won’t he leave the ninety­nine on the hillside, and go to look for the stray one? And I tell you, when he finally finds it, he is more pleased about it, than about the ninety­nine that did not go astray. It is the same with your Father in heaven. Your Father in heaven doesn’t want even one of these little ones to perish.

Reflections
“Whoever becomes humble, like this child.”
Why did Jesus set the childlike humility as the measure of great­ ness and the requisite to be able to enter of heaven? It is because childlike humility does not have any pretentions. It fully recognizes the self as being inadequate to do simple and great things. It sees beyond itself a power behind all achievements and all underta­ kings. It does not see itself as the originator; it points to something else that is greater. And so, it does not usurp the credit. Childlike hu­ mility does not seek recognition for accomplishments. It does not need social status and power; it is at peace with being what it is. It strips one’s self of those things that make one arrogant and conceited. Without this childlike humility we will look down on others and God is situated at the periphery of life and human affairs, to the point of not being there at all.
Jesus is out of the picture. Child­ like humility brings Jesus back into the picture. It locates Jesus at the center, the source, and the goal of all actions. This is precisely why it is the ticket to enter God’s reign of love.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019