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Gospel Reading for October 2, 2024 – Matthew 18: 1-5, 10
SIMPLE DESIRES
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 humbles himself 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.”
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Wishing to be the greatest is the least childlike trait of all, because most children have SIMPLE DESIRES and competition is not yet fully in their consciousness. They look up to the elders and believe they have a lot to learn from them. They have humility at its best. Children who are highly competitive are usually driven by a desire to please their parents who prod them to be the best in their undertakings, especially in school.
Adults often think that children have a lot to learn from them because they have had more experience in life, but has it ever occurred to us that adults have a lot to learn from children? The Golden Rule of doing to others what we want others to do to us, or not doing to others what we do not want others to do to us, can very easily be understood by children when a conflict arises among them, unlike adults who will always justify their wrong actions with reasons that always favor them.
If we grow into adults, into life, not losing the childlike qualities in us, we are sure to be great in the Kingdom of heaven.
Holy Guardian Angels, watch over us always that we may always be in God’s loving embrace!
