Martin Madalai Muthu csc –
Readings: Ezek 2:8-3:4; Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
In the first reading, God is shown as the merciful Father who never abandons his children at any point of time in their life. In the Gospel we see the disciples asking Jesus “Who is the greatest?” Jesus in turn called a child among them and said two things.
First, he said whoever is humble like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Secondly, he said that unless they change and become like little children they cannot enter the kingdom of God. Jewish tradition considers women and children very insignificant in the society. Keeping all that in mind Jesus highlights the qualities of a child in front of them. Children are simple, innocent, truthful, dependent, and straightforward in their
approach.
This act of Jesus gives us an insight that we are all equal in the sight of God. When we look at the present world, we know how we discriminate people based on race, caste, or color for our selfish motives and create categories of inferior and superior human beings. We train ourselves to
respect positions, rather than precious lives of the people. Millions of poor in the world fail to get dignity in the society due to their poverty.
It is an invitation for each one of us to respect our fellow beings by treating them with dignity and honor. As a child does not distinguish the people as worthy and unworthy, we too are called to do the same by letting our ego out and letting God’s words into our lives to become greatest in the kingdom of God.