of the disciples, and said, “I assure you, that, unless you change, and become like little
children, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble, like this
child, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and whoever receives such a child, in
my name, receives me.
See that you do not despise any of these little ones; for I tell you, their angels in heaven
continually see the face of my heavenly Father.
What do you think of this? If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them strays, won’t
he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside, and go to look for the stray one? And I tell you, when
he finally finds it, he is more pleased about it, than about the ninety-nine that did not go astray.
It is the same with your Father in heaven. Your Father in heaven doesn’t want even one of
these little ones to perish.
READ: Today’s readings focus on the holy child, Jesus. Isaiah speaks of the son who will come
to bring us peace, joy, and salvation. Paul reminds his readers that, through the holy child, we
become adopted sons and daughters of God. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus holds up an innocent
child as a model for his followers.
REFLECT: Once again, Jesus does something unexpected and shocking. Asked to identify the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus does not point out one of the priests or elders. He
doesn’t bring forth a scholar of the law or even one of the Twelve, his closest companions.
Instead, he brings forward a small child with no particular status or knowledge. Why is a child
the greatest in the kingdom? The child demonstrates the most essential characteristic of a
disciple: complete reliance on and trust in God. The child knows that she cannot take care of
herself. She needs others to survive. She is humble and dependent, knowing her own limits.
So are disciples before the Lord. We know that we do not save ourselves. Instead, we turn to
God who answers all our needs.
PRAY: Lord God, help me to turn to you in my need and to trust in your loving kindness.
ACT: Reach out in forgiveness to someone who has hurt you.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2023