Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Ez 2:8—3:4; PS 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131; Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
Little Ones
- Jesus placed a child in front of him in order to instruct the disciples. 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.
- Jesus then said to them. See that you do not despise one of these little ones.
- [continuing], for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.
The Opposites
A. Set aside our exaggerated self-importance and and become like children.
B. Children, be of age or of humility, should be treated the opposite of despised which is to be loved, like and respect.
C. Your Guardian Angel ever seeks their protection and aid in direct contrast to the implied warning of what we sometimes do “unless“.
Summary
Being of a culture of self-reliance and American Exceptionalism, this instruction of Jesus seems rather quaint. Yet it is a central – that is dogmatic – understanding of our humanity. We are Littles Ones. We are to maintain our littleness despite our good or bad fortune, personal achievements / failures and the amassing / lack of wealth. UNLESS we are children we will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.
But what of our child-like nature? Has it been stripped of us by events, circumstance, mistakes and maltreatment?
Reflection
In our gospel reading today, Jesus reminds us we are the Little Ones needing the divine aid. Help is being the person we are meant to be. He uses striking imagery to help us imagine the depth of this care.
- Angels ever before the throne pleading our case.
- 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 he rejoices! The Lord doesn’t send someone else, he comes to find us himself.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.
Personal Reflection
For me pride is the log in the eye and an all-to-effective way of forgetting my littleness. I practice gratitude rituals, that helps. What helps the most is that Angel imagery. Every moment of every day, an angel is advocating for the child assigned to him. Advocating not for advantage or alliance or accumulation. Advocating for their littleness: love, like and respect.
Then I an pray for we, the little ones, as the angel does.
Sacred Readings
Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081324.cfm
First Reading
The Lord GOD said to me: open your mouth and eat what I shall give you.
Responsorial
How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Gospel Acclamation
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.
Gospel
“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.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry