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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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Chapter 18 of Matthew’s Gospel deals with Christian ethics. Jesus tells us how we are to behave in this world, using two familiar images – both of which provide points of reflection – a child and a sheep.
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First, the Lord tell us to turn – or return – to the innocence that we had as children. Back then, life was simple. We trusted our parents implicitly; we were arrestingly honest; humble; we saw the world with awe and wonder, and that made us joyful.
Perhaps it’s an urban legend that children laugh 300 to 400 times per day. But adults certainly laugh less than children. Part of what Jesus is calling us to do is to find joy in simple things, to laugh more, and to trust God the way your children trust you.
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Secondly, see yourself as a sheep.
Sheep have a natural herding mentality. They know instinctively that they cannot survive on their own. Their strength does not come from within; rather, from their closeness to their shepherd.
Throughout our lives, we must fight against the temptation of self-reliance; we cannot make it through life alone.
We need the strength that comes from living in community – in this community – and above all, the strength that comes from staying close to Jesus, our Good Shepherd.
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Am I joyful like a child? Do I laugh often? Do I trust the Lord implicitly?
Like a sheep, do I make every effort to stay close to my shepherd, or at times do I wander?
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“Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” the disciples ask Jesus.
Those who are joyful like children and stay with the flock.
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Image credits: (1) Daily Dependence (2) Adobe Stock (3) Psephizo