The Greatest in the Kingdom

Today's Reflections

The Greatest in the Kingdom 

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Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

¹[One time,] the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ²He called a child over, placed it in their midst, ³and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

¹⁰“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. ¹²What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? ¹³And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. ¹⁴In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”

Reflection:

Little ones. In Jewish society children, like women, do not count. They are treated as second-class citizens. But here Jesus affirms the dignity of the “little ones.” They are models of worthy citizens of God’s kingdom.

Children are dependent on their parents and call them when they are in need, when they sense danger, or when they have questions to ask. Jesus says that we must be like children in our dependence on God. We must rely on God’s power and providence, not on our own capacity.

Children, the little ones, and the lost sheep are insignificant, but God values them more. So God will do everything to find us when we get lost and bring us back to his loving fold. In the eyes of God everyone is a precious creature that God will save.

Do we present ourselves as childlike before God?

In what measure are we dependent on God as our parent?