01/10/2023
I noticed something when I read this passage that I hadn't seen before, even though I have read it innumerable times over the years. The disciples asked Jesus who was the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, but Jesus actually answered a different question. When he called the child over, he didn't say that a child was the greatest, he said that unless you became humble as a child, you wouldn't even get into the Kingdom of Heaven. That's both interesting and frightening at the same time. We know that childlike and childish are two different things. Those who are childlike are curious, look to adults for security and wisdom. Those who are childish want everything their own way and they want it NOW! Jesus is telling us that we need to look to the Father for guidance, for security, for wisdom. We need to depend on him to know what we need – not want – and provide it. We look at what we have as blessings and don't worry about what we don't have. We use the gifts we have to the best of our ability for the good of others. Just as little children show their love for their parents with shows of affection, picking wildflowers, or making a little gift, we show God our love with our prayers, our small gifts of sacrifice and by helping bring his love to the poor and the vulnerable of our society. When I was a child, I had food to eat, a safe home, and the knowledge that my parents loved me. I didn't know that we were barely middle class until I was much older. I was rich in the important things. When we are rich in the love of God and the knowledge of salvation, what more do we need?
