Gospel for the Day with Pointers

Tuesday, 14th August,2018

Ord. Wk 19th

Mt 18:1-5,10. 12-14

The disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven?’ So he called a little child to him whom he set among them. Then he said, ‘In truth I tell you, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. 

‘Anyone who welcomes one little child like this in my name welcomes me. See that you never despise any of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven are continually in the presence of my Father in heaven.

‘Tell me. Suppose a man has a hundred sheep and one of them strays; will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go in search of the stray? In truth I tell you, if he finds it, it gives him more joy than do the ninety-nine that did not stray at all. Similarly, it is never the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.’

• Children were the oppressed and marginalized members of the secular society during Jesus’ time. They had no legal rights and did not count in society.
  
  
• Jesus’ heart went out to them not only because they were oppressed, but also because they were receptive and trusting in their simple ways.
  
  
• Jesus reminds us that such attitudes will bring us into God’s Kingdom as our hearts will be open to the truth and the Spirit of God. Do I have a “childlike” heart and life?