First reading Ezekiel 2:8-3:4
He gave me the scroll to eat and it was as sweet as honey
I, Ezekiel, heard a voice speaking. It said, ‘You, son of man, listen to the words I say; do not be a rebel like that rebellious set. Open your mouth and eat what I am about to give you.’ I looked. A hand was there, stretching out to me and holding a scroll. He unrolled it in front of me; it was written on back and front; on it was written ‘lamentations, wailings, moanings.’ He said, ‘Son of man, eat what is given to you; eat this scroll, then go and speak to the House of Israel.’ I opened my mouth; he gave me the scroll to eat and said, ‘Son of man, feed and be satisfied by the scroll I am giving you.’ I ate it, and it tasted sweet as honey.
Then he said, ‘Son of man, go to the House of Israel and tell them what I have said.’
Responsorial Psalm 118(119):14,24,72,103,111,131
Your promise is sweet to my taste, O Lord.
I rejoiced to do your will
as though all riches were mine.
Your will is my delight;
your statutes are my counsellors.
The law from your mouth means more to me
than silver and gold.
Your promise is sweeter to my taste
than honey in the mouth.
Your will is my heritage for ever,
the joy of my heart.
I open my mouth and I sigh
as I yearn for your commands.
Gospel Matthew 18:1-5,10,12-14
Anyone who welcomes a little child in my name welcomes me
The disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ So he called a little child to him and set the child in front of them. Then he said, ‘I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
‘Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.
‘See that you never despise any of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven are continually in the presence of my Father in heaven.
‘Tell me. Suppose a man has a hundred sheep and one of them strays; will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go in search of the stray? I tell you solemnly, if he finds it, it gives him more joy than do the ninety-nine that did not stray at all. Similarly, it is never the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.’
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To become like little children
In today’s gospel, the disciples were concerned with being great in the
kingdom of God. However, Jesus told His disciples that it was not about
kingdom of God. However, Jesus told His disciples that it was not about
becoming great but about becoming like little children that mattered the
most. Today, Jesus extends this invitation to us too.
most. Today, Jesus extends this invitation to us too.
What does it mean to be like “little children”? Little children live simply in
the present moment with a sense of joy and wonderment. They do not
live in the past or worry about the future. Jesus invites us to become like
little children and live in the present moment. It is in the present moment
where God reveals Himself as a God who is with us. Although we need
to work for a better future, we must not miss living the present moment
with God. May we encounter His loving presence in each moment of
today and learn to live at peace with Him.
the present moment with a sense of joy and wonderment. They do not
live in the past or worry about the future. Jesus invites us to become like
little children and live in the present moment. It is in the present moment
where God reveals Himself as a God who is with us. Although we need
to work for a better future, we must not miss living the present moment
with God. May we encounter His loving presence in each moment of
today and learn to live at peace with Him.
Reflection question:
How can I respond to Jesus’ invitation to become like little children?
How can I respond to Jesus’ invitation to become like little children?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
