First reading Isaiah 66:10-14
Towards Jerusalem I send flowing peace, like a river
Rejoice, Jerusalem,
be glad for her, all you who love her!
Rejoice, rejoice for her,
all you who mourned her!
That you may be suckled, filled,
from her consoling breast,
that you may savour with delight
her glorious breasts.
For thus says the Lord:
Now towards her I send flowing
peace, like a river,
and like a stream in spate
the glory of the nations.
At her breast will her nurslings be carried
and fondled in her lap.
Like a son comforted by his mother
will I comfort you.
And by Jerusalem you will be comforted.
At the sight your heart will rejoice,
and your bones flourish like the grass.
To his servants the Lord will reveal his hand.
Responsorial Psalm 130(131)
Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.
O Lord, my heart is not proud
nor haughty my eyes.
I have not gone after things too great
nor marvels beyond me.
Truly I have set my soul
in silence and peace.
A weaned child on its mother’s breast,
even so is my soul.
O Israel, hope in the Lord
both now and forever.
Gospel Matthew 18:1-5
Unless you become like little children you will not enter the kingdom of heaven
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.’
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The heart of God
In today’s first reading, the prophet Isaiah states, “Like a son comforted by his mother, will I comfort you. At the sight, your heart will rejoice, and your bones flourish like the grass.” Many of us have experienced times when we feel tired to the bone, completely worn out due to family challenges, financial uncertainties, health issues, and more. We often find ourselves struggling just to get through each day, leaving us longing for a moment of rest. In these moments, God assures us of His comforting presence that gives us strength and allows us to live each day with joy. nurturing us and helping us find joy.
In today’s gospel, when the disciples asked Jesus who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, He shocked them by bringing a little child forward. While we often associate greatness with success, wealth, and power, Jesus teaches that true greatness comes from humility and childlike trust in God. This means trusting that God cares for us and will provide for our needs each day, allowing us to live in peace, rather than being consumed by unnecessary anxiety. Today, Jesus calls us to embrace a child-like trust in our loving Father, who is always there for us.
Reflective question:
How can I become more like a child in my trust in God’s love?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
