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.’
Learning To Be Little
In today’s first reading, the prophet Isaiah offers a tender image of God, who said, “Like a child comforted by his mother, will I comfort you.” God is never far away from us in our sorrow. He always wants to give us peace and help us flourish once again, so that we may live life to the fullest. Let us rejoice, not because life contains no suffering, but because God is faithful and He is always with us, working for our good.
In the Gospel, Jesus’ disciples want to know who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus places a child among them, overturning their understanding of greatness. In God’s Kingdom, greatness is not about status, wealth, influence, or recognition, but is found in humility. Today, we are invited to depend on God’s motherly love and become like a little child, free from the need to appear great in the eyes of the world and content to place our trust in God.
Reflective question:
Am I seeking greatness in the eyes of others, or in the eyes of God?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
