Gospel 

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

The disciples approached Jesus and said,

"Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?"

He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,

"Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,

you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.

Whoever becomes humble like this child

is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.

And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

"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.

What 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?

And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it

than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.

In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father

that one of these little ones be lost.”

Reflection

Children did not have status at the time of Jesus. Yet Jesus see’s in children such a beautiful image of what he wishes adults would be. The qualities of a child are perfect for the kingdom of God.

Closing Prayer

Father, it's strange that sometimes we believe that religion is there somehow is a block, not allowing us to become who we really want to be, or who we are. And the truth is that everything that Jesus teaches leads us into a place of acceptance of our human nature, acceptance of everything potentially we have within us, and longs for us. And we pray that we will mature and grow. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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