READ:
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! (Matthew 18:1-7)
REFLECT:
Although we tend to romanticize this scene — Jesus holding a cherubic little child on His lap, smiles all around — it’s helpful to remember that children are actually the most vulnerable members of any society. They are dependent on others for just about everything. They are not influential. They are not leaders. They can be — and too often are — exploited.
When the disciples asked who was the most important in the kingdom of heaven, no one would have expected Him to choose a child. If there were any smiles to begin with, they quickly faded from the shock of Jesus telling them that greatness in His kingdom would only belong to those who would change and become like children.
REACT:
Do something childlike today. Play a little. Laugh a little. Let yourself experience a little bit of wonder. Simply believe. Simply obey. Simply trust Jesus.
