The Greatest in the Kingdom

Today's Reflections

                                                

 

The Greatest in the Kingdom

Mt 18:1-5, 10

¹At that 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.”

THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM. The values of Jesus are far different from those of worldly people who seek power, wealth, and fame. Jesus prefers the way of humility and simplicity. Born of poor parents, he lives a simple life and follows God’s will.

In the Gospel, the disciples ask who, for Jesus, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus calls a child over and declares that whoever humbles himself like a child is the greatest.

Adults cannot be thinking, talking, and reasoning like little children. As Paul says, “When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things” (1 Cor 13:11). Before God, however, we have to be as children: humble, sincere, simple, dependent.

Jesus also warns against despising the little ones; their angels always behold the face of the Father. We adults have to avoid giving bad example to little children, for their guardian angels are always close to God.

Guardian angels are there precisely to guard people, especially children, from any physical or spiritual danger. Adults should avoid endangering the physical and spiritual life of children.

Name your Guardian Angel and pray,

“Angel of God, my guardian dear…”