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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True greatness
The disciples asked Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus replied, “Unless you change and become like little children…The one who humbles himself like this child is the greatest.” In this passage, Jesus redefines greatness as childlike humility: it is not about striving for higher status but rather living a life of trust, doing small, unseen acts of love, and relying on the Father. Today, let us seek this true greatness not by trying to impress others, but by welcoming the “little ones,” serving quietly, protecting the vulnerable, and rejoicing when the lost are found.
Jesus then told the parable of the lost sheep, where the shepherd left the ninety-nine to look for that one sheep. This parable reflects the heart of God who is always moved toward the lost and the least. This gives us comfort because we know that God actively seeks us when we are lost in the busyness of life, consumed by work and success, paralysed by anger and unforgiveness, and stuck in hopelessness and anxiety. We can take solace in His constant love. Having found by this love, may we reach out to others and share that same love with them.
Reflective question:
Who is God asking me to reach out to with love and patience?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
