GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to 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.”
The gospel of the Lord
Become like a child
God’s Word is so rich that we can always contemplate countless teachings within it. But this time, let’s focus on Jesus’ invitation to become like children. What did the Lord mean when He asked us to become small? There are many more reasons than we can list, but here are a few:
Children know they are small—they are humble. They don’t rely on their own strength, but on their father’s. They know that where they fall short, their father does not. The little ones don’t get overwhelmed or anxious; they sleep peacefully and trustingly, knowing their father will provide everything. They love their father and know they are loved by him—and that is the rest their hearts need. They ask without tiring, never doubting the Father’s love: “If Dad does it, it must be for a reason.”
Jesus asks us to have this attitude to enter the Kingdom of Heaven: surrender, humility, trust, and love. Let God be your Father—by becoming small.
Applied to married Life:
Charlotte: John, in a year my contract at work ends, and I don’t think they’ll renew it. I’ve overheard some comments… I hadn’t told you, but I haven’t been sleeping.
John: What are you saying, Charlotte? Why are you so anxious? Don’t you know we have a Father in heaven who cares for us? What do we have to fear? You know not even a hair falls from our heads without His permission. Why are you distressed?
Charlotte: I think I’ve been going through all this alone, relying only on my own strength… and that’s why I feel this way.
John: Rest in Him. Don’t be overwhelmed. Place it in His hands, trust Him, and let’s ask that His will be done. He is our Father and always wants what’s best for us. Shall we go spend a little time adoring Him in the Eucharist?
Charlotte: Yes, my love. I really needed to hear all this.
John: Become small and trust in Him.
Mother,
You always lived abandoned to the Father, even when you didn’t understand. Help me be like You—to have your trust and your faith.
Blessed are you forever!