Divine Equations!

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Deut 31:1-8; Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

Today’s Gospel invites us to become like children and love the lost ones. 

In my opinion, Jesus’ teaching on little children and his example of the shepherd who goes after the one leaving the ninety-nine behind are not two disconnected teachings but one and the same. 

Through these two examples, Jesus means that humility and mercy reflect the two sides of the Divine Heart, and for us, they are two pillars of the spiritual life. 

A close reading of the Gospel text would help us understand that in both instances, Jesus alters the calculations so radically, letting us understand the Divine Mind. 

The example of the child comes as an answer to the disciples’ question, ‘Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?’ When they asked this question, they imagined the answer in worldly terms so that Jesus would talk about rank or status or achievement. But Jesus puts the child in front to teach them that it is through their powerlessness, dependence, and vulnerability that they would attain such greatness. In other words, when the disciples imagine climbing upward to greatness, Jesus shows that the true greatness of a disciple lies in stepping downward. To become great, one has to become small. 

Jesus goes on to shock his disciples with another equally ‘confusing’ example. What kind of a shepherd would leave the ninety-nine sheep grazing in front of his eyes to go in search of the strayed one? While the disciples are still wondering about the meaning of such contradictory behaviour, Jesus shows that such love is possible for someone whose heart is not ruled by calculations but by compassion. Human calculations can never contain the Divine thoughts on compassion. Hence, resonating with or sharing the heart of God means to think like God, for whom there is no one less important or forgotten. 

Becoming like the child and the shepherd are two radical invitations for Jesus’ disciples. 

Let us pray that we may imitate the Divine Heart to become more humble and loving. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar