Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Ez 2:8-3:4; Mt 18:1-5,12-14
Today’s Gospel highlights the uniqueness of God’s Kingdom through the verses on the ‘little ones.’
By showing that being and becoming like children are characteristics of greatness in the Kingdom, Jesus invites us to imbibe his example.
Jesus, who responds to a question from his disciples regarding the greatest in the Kingdom, is well aware of their attitude and temptation to align with the world.
Through his shocking answer that exemplifies childlike virtues, Jesus rules out the expectations of his disciples to imagine the Kingdom on par with any worldly organization.
Jesus so constructs his response to offer contrast and caution regarding the little ones.
Contrast: Jesus does not mince words when he puts forward a child as representative of greatness in the Kingdom. Jesus’ response offends their sensibilities because they could never think of greatness as contained in humility and meekness. By making the children the yardstick of the Kingdom, Jesus shows that unless we are ready to embrace this distinctive quality, we cannot be his followers. Moreover, in Jesus’ view, accepting and receiving the little ones would mean accepting and receiving Jesus himself. In this sense, Jesus equates being and becoming like children to being and becoming like him.
Caution: If the first part of the Gospel underlines the uniqueness of God’s Kingdom through childlike virtues, the second part cautions us not to disregard or hate these little ones because they are protected by God’s preferential care through the intervention of their angels. Jesus also adds a beautiful story that illustrates God’s care for them. Jesus implies that those who are abandoned by humanity are embraced by God. Hence, our discipleship mandates that we care for the neglected ones, just as God has shown us. Thus, Jesus indicates the social responsibility of his disciples.
Let us pray that in our love for the little ones, we may reflect the love of our Lord Himself!
Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar
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