From the Gospel acclamation: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 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.”
Jesus tells the disciples that to become humble like the child, or as he says, “one of these little ones,” is to be constantly in the Lord’s care and under his watch. As the shepherd of a hundred sheep goes in search of the one that is lost, so will our heavenly Father go in search of us, rejoicing when he finds us. Jesus says, “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 the same way, God rejoices when even one lost soul is found and brought back into the fold. If Jesus commands as the Son of God that we become like children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven, it is good that we take this to heart and put it into practice today and every day.
God, grant me the wisdom to put aside the well-trodden ways maturity has brought me to and do as Jesus asks. When I call to mind memories of childhood and what it means to trust in the loving care of a father and mother, I understand what Jesus means about becoming like a child—humble and trusting in your lovingkindness and mercy. Suffering and hardship will come; it is inevitable. Ezekiel describes the scroll you gave him to eat, and on it was written lamentation and wailing and woe. Yet, in eating the scroll that you put in his mouth, he found that it was as sweet as honey so that he was able to go out and speak of your goodness to all who would hear your words. Help me, Lord, continually turn to you. Saints Pontian and Hippolytus, pray for us!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.