Ezekiel 2:8—3:4,
Ps 119:14.24.72. 103.111.131,
Matthew 18:1-5. 10.12- 14 Full Readings
Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
Becoming Great in the Kingdom of God
My dear brethren, today's readings present to us three powerful images which depict a message concerning our relationship with God's word and communing with Him.
The first reading presents to us Ezekiel eating the scroll which was presented to him by God. The scroll had the word of the Lord written on it and it was sweet as honey. This image brings a message about the sweetness of the Word of God. This is also depicted in the psalm today, that the word of God is sweeter than honey. The sweetness comes because it is always joy to receive the word of God as we see in Jeremiah 15:16. Brethren, how do we receive the word of God. Most often we go for mass or for service and the word of God is proclaimed to us, do we internalise it and savour it's sweetness or do we just hear and it passes away or because of routine, has lost value in us?
The word of God that we hear should be internalised in us just as food goes through the digestive system. God requires that we hunger for it like food, masticate it through meditation, digest it and assimilate it so that it becomes part of our being. God’s word strengthens our resolve to live in obedience to God, and it empowers us to proclaim it to others from the depth of our being through a faith-filled life. If the word of God becomes part of us, we will live according to His will and indeed we shall become great in the kingdom of heaven.
The Gospel presents to us two other image: firstly, the image of becoming childlike. Jesus tells His disciples, after asking Him about who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, that unless one becomes like a little child, he or she will never enter the kingdom of heaven and that nobody should ever despise any of these little ones otherwise, his or her angel will react.
The image of children or little ones is used a number of times in the Gospels to portray the good qualities of children which are qualities of the kingdom for instance humility, innocence, natural, trusting, dependence and many others. Jesus therefore invites us to have qualities like those of children in order to enter the kingdom of God. He does not invite us to be childish but childlike. The is therefore, the one who is humble and lowly of heart - who instead of asserting their rights willingly empty themselves of pride and self-seeking glory by taking the lowly position of a servant and child before God. The simple of heart know that they belong to God - he is their father, teacher, and provider - the one who shows them the way of peace, joy, and life everlasting. They are content to recognize their total dependence on God who is the source of all goodness and every good gift.
The image of children also teaches the infinite value of the Christian, the need to respect everyone, no matter how slight and little they seem. Why does Jesus choose a child? Are children holier, more devoted, more loyal, more responsive, more straightforward? In the conditions of the time it seems that children were less favoured and less regarded than adults, they had no rights, position, or privileges of their own. They were socially at the "bottom of the rung" and at the service of their parents, much like the household staff and domestic servants. What is the significance of Jesus' gesture? Jesus elevated a little child in the presence of his disciples by placing the child in a privileged position of honor at his right side. He underlines the dire warning about harming others. This puts harming others on the same level as the great commandment of love, but on an opposite tack: it is the negative of which the great commandment is the positive.
We might wonder who is meant by the ‘little ones’. The fact that the expression is used for the apostles in the mission discourse (10.42) has sparked a theory that it means primarily those who spread the gospel. More likely, it is anyone in need, and especially those who put their trust in Jesus. Of these apostles in need of hospitality form an important group. And therefore whoever welcomes the little ones (Gospel heralds and those in need) in Jesus’ Name, has welcomed Jesus Himself and whoever becomes like a child becomes the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
In the third image of the lost, Jesus' teaching was the insistence that sinners must be sought out and not merely mourned for. God does not rejoice in the loss of anyone, but desires that all be saved and restored to fellowship with him. That is why the whole community of heaven rejoices when one sinner is found and restored to fellowship with God (Luke 15:7). Seekers of the lost are much needed today. Do you pray and seek after those you know who have lost their way to God?
Reflect today on how palatable the Word of God is to you. Is it sweeter than anything else or it just passes away without even tasting it? Reflect also on your willingness to become like a child so that you will become great in the kingdom of heaven. Do you welcome the little children, respect every one as he or she is, and welcome the God's chosen Gospel heralds like priests, religious catechists and all the people doing the will of God? How willing are you to become a seeker of the lost sheep? Pray today that you may always strive to have childlike faith in all you do.
Let us Pray
Your word, O Lord, sweeter, sharp and very powerful in the lives of your people. May I always savour its sweetness everyday as I strive to become like a child for the greater glory which is to come in heaven. Amen.
Be blessed
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