Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 414
Lectionary: 414
The Lord GOD said
to me:
As for you, son of man, obey me when I speak to you:
be not rebellious like this house of rebellion,
but open your mouth and eat what I shall give you.
It was then I saw a hand stretched out to me,
in which was a written scroll which he unrolled before me.
It was covered with writing front and back,
and written on it was:
Lamentation and wailing and woe!
He said to me: Son of man, eat what is before you;
eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel.
So I opened my mouth and he gave me the scroll to eat.
Son of man, he then said to me,
feed your belly and fill your stomach
with this scroll I am giving you.
I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.
He said: Son of man, go now to the house of Israel,
and speak my words to them.
As for you, son of man, obey me when I speak to you:
be not rebellious like this house of rebellion,
but open your mouth and eat what I shall give you.
It was then I saw a hand stretched out to me,
in which was a written scroll which he unrolled before me.
It was covered with writing front and back,
and written on it was:
Lamentation and wailing and woe!
He said to me: Son of man, eat what is before you;
eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel.
So I opened my mouth and he gave me the scroll to eat.
Son of man, he then said to me,
feed your belly and fill your stomach
with this scroll I am giving you.
I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.
He said: Son of man, go now to the house of Israel,
and speak my words to them.
Responsorial Psalm PS 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131
R. (103a) How sweet to my taste is your promise!
In the way of your decrees I rejoice,
as much as in all riches.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Yes, your decrees are my delight;
they are my counselors.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
How sweet to my palate are your promises,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Your decrees are my inheritance forever;
the joy of my heart they are.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
I gasp with open mouth,
in my yearning for your commands.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
In the way of your decrees I rejoice,
as much as in all riches.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Yes, your decrees are my delight;
they are my counselors.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
How sweet to my palate are your promises,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Your decrees are my inheritance forever;
the joy of my heart they are.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
I gasp with open mouth,
in my yearning for your commands.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Gospel MT 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
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 becomes humble 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.
What is your opinion?
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,
will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills
and go in search of the stray?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it
than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost.”
“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 becomes humble 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.
What is your opinion?
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,
will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills
and go in search of the stray?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it
than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost.”
Meditation: "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven?"
Are you surprised to see the disciples discussing with Jesus who
is the greatest? Don't we do the same thing? The appetite for glory and
greatness seems to be inbred in us. Who doesn't cherish the ambition to be
"somebody" whom others admire rather than a "nobody"? Even
the Psalms speak about the glory God has destined for us. You have made
them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor(Psalm
8:5).
Whose glory do you seek?
Jesus made a dramatic gesture by placing a child next to himself to show his disciples who really is the greatest in the kingdom of God. What can a little child possibly teach us about greatness? Children in the ancient world had no rights, position, or privileges of their own. They were socially at the "bottom of the rung" and at the service of their parents, much like the household staff and domestic servants. What is the significance of Jesus' gesture? Jesus elevated a little child in the presence of his disciples by placing the child in a privileged position of honor at his right side. It is customary, even today, to seat the guest of honor at the right side of the host.
Jesus made a dramatic gesture by placing a child next to himself to show his disciples who really is the greatest in the kingdom of God. What can a little child possibly teach us about greatness? Children in the ancient world had no rights, position, or privileges of their own. They were socially at the "bottom of the rung" and at the service of their parents, much like the household staff and domestic servants. What is the significance of Jesus' gesture? Jesus elevated a little child in the presence of his disciples by placing the child in a privileged position of honor at his right side. It is customary, even today, to seat the guest of honor at the right side of the host.
The lowly of heart empty themselves of pride
Who is the greatest in God's kingdom? The one who is humble and lowly of heart - who instead of asserting their rights willingly empty themselves of pride and self-seeking glory by taking the lowly position of a servant and child before God. The simple of heart know that they belong to God - he is their father, teacher, and provider - the one who shows them the way of peace, joy, and life everlasting. They are content to recognize their total dependence on God who is the source of all goodness and every good gift.
Who is the greatest in God's kingdom? The one who is humble and lowly of heart - who instead of asserting their rights willingly empty themselves of pride and self-seeking glory by taking the lowly position of a servant and child before God. The simple of heart know that they belong to God - he is their father, teacher, and provider - the one who shows them the way of peace, joy, and life everlasting. They are content to recognize their total dependence on God who is the source of all goodness and every good gift.
Jesus restores us to the people he has made holy
What does Jesus' story about a lost sheep tell us about God and his kingdom? Shepherds normally counted their sheep at the end of the day to make sure all were accounted for. Since sheep by their very nature are very social, an isolated sheep can quickly become bewildered and even neurotic. The shepherd's grief and anxiety is turned to joy when he finds the lost sheep and restores it to the fold. What was new in Jesus' teaching was the insistence that sinners must be sought out and not merely mourned for. God does not rejoice in the loss of anyone, but desires that all be saved and restored to fellowship with him. That is why the whole community of heaven rejoices when one sinner is found and restored to fellowship with God (Luke 15:7). Seekers of the lost are much needed today. Do you pray and seek after those you know who have lost their way to God?
What does Jesus' story about a lost sheep tell us about God and his kingdom? Shepherds normally counted their sheep at the end of the day to make sure all were accounted for. Since sheep by their very nature are very social, an isolated sheep can quickly become bewildered and even neurotic. The shepherd's grief and anxiety is turned to joy when he finds the lost sheep and restores it to the fold. What was new in Jesus' teaching was the insistence that sinners must be sought out and not merely mourned for. God does not rejoice in the loss of anyone, but desires that all be saved and restored to fellowship with him. That is why the whole community of heaven rejoices when one sinner is found and restored to fellowship with God (Luke 15:7). Seekers of the lost are much needed today. Do you pray and seek after those you know who have lost their way to God?
"Lord Jesus, teach me your way of humility and simplicity
of heart that I may find perfect joy in you. May your light shine through me
that others may see your truth and love and find hope and peace in you."
 No Cheap Souls |
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August 12, 2014. Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary
Time
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Matthew 18:1-5 10, 12-14
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who
is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?" He called a child, whom he
put among them, and said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and
become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever
becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes 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. What is your opinion?
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave
the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds
it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine
that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly
Father that one of these little ones be lost.”
Introductory Prayer: Lord God, I believe you are present here with me as I
begin this moment of prayer. I hope in you. I know that you will always take
care of me. I want this time with you to be a sign of my love for you. I seek
only to please you, without desiring any spiritual consolation for myself.
Petition: Heart of Christ, make my heart more like yours!
1. Angelic Occupations: Raphael’s famous painting of Mary
known as the “Sistine Virgin” has a remarkable detail that immediately
catches the observer’s eye; Beneath the Blessed Virgin, two little cherubs
are in a unique pose. They look a little bored with all the attention that Pope
St. Sixtus and St. Barbara are paying to the Madonna and Child: They look as
if they can’t wait to go out and play once all the fuss is over. Obviously
Raphael’s sense of humor doesn’t do the angelic nature justice. Supremely
intelligent, spiritual creatures, angels “always look upon the face the
heavenly Father.” Their task? To watch over and protect us. Doesn’t that show
us how much God loves each one of us individually? Doesn’t that tell us of
the value of a single soul?
2. The Shepherd’s Commitment: The Lord lifts a
veil from the invisible world of the angels so that we better understand how
much God loves us; now he give us the precious image of the shepherd going in
pursuit of the lost sheep. The shepherd braves raw exposure to the elements and
danger from wild animals in his relentless effort to find the one sheep who
has wandered off. Christ is committed to keeping the flock together. Are we
as committed to bringing back the lost sheep?
3. No One Left Behind: Americans love the rugged individualist,
the one who lifts himself up by dint of his own focus and effort. There’s
virtue there, to be sure, but Catholics need a broader vision. Besides lost
sheep, there are weak, marginalized and sick ones. If we have the heart of
Christ, no one can be left behind. Every time we reach out in sacrificial
love, we are making Christ present in the world. We are called to be his
ambassadors!
Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, your love gives us hope.
You have given us angels to watch over us, and you yourself are constantly
bringing back the lost sheep. Give us hearts like your own, hearts filled
with Christian charity!
Resolution: I will reach out to someone who is sick or has drifted
away from the Church.
By Father Steven Reilly, L.C.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, MATTHEW 18:1-5,.10, 12-14
(Ezekiel 2:8--3:4; Psalm 119)
(Ezekiel 2:8--3:4; Psalm 119)
KEY VERSE: "Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (v 4).
READING: When one of Jesus' disciples asked him who was the greatest in God's reign, he answered with a living parable. He placed a small child in their midst to demonstrate that membership in God's kingdom was not measured by social status or power. The child represented those who trusted God for their needs in the way children depended upon their parents. Jesus' admonished his followers not to despise the insignificant members of the community as being unimportant. The angels in heaven interceded on behalf of God's little ones who were like lost sheep with no means to protect themselves. Jesus cautioned his disciples to be good shepherds who would watch over their flocks and guard them from every evil.
REFLECTING: Do I stand up for the rights of helpless children?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to come to you with childlike confidence.
Optional Memorial of Jane Frances de Chantal,
religious
Jane Frances de Chantal was the widow of the Baron of Chantal and she was left with four children. She was also very much loved by the poor. While visiting at Dijon, 1604, she heard St. Francis de Sales preach. A correspondence began between them, and he became her spiritual director. Having provided for the welfare of her children, she went to Annecy with her two daughters. In 1610 she founded the Order of the Visitation of Our Lady for widows and laywomen who did not wish the full life of the orders. She spent the rest of her life in the cloister, but supervised the growth of the Order. Eighty-six houses were established before her death. Her literary works comprise letters and instructions on the religious life. Visitations nuns today live a contemplative life, work for women with poor health, widows, and sometimes run schools. Canonized in 1767, her body lies in the basilica near Annecy, France.
How sweet to my taste is your promise
‘Will he not leave the ninety-nine and go in search of the stray?’In the months prior to Christmas, our community works towards providing Christmas gifts and food parcels to about 700 people, mostly those with disabilities who live in insecure housing, joined by people in aged care without family contact. Most of the buying, collecting, sorting, stacking, packaging and delivery is done by a small group of men and women who have come out of rehabilitation for addictions to alcohol, drugs or gambling. Some have done gaol time. Delightful to be around, these people are smiling, good-natured, hard working, willing to attempt any job. They offer to make deliveries to the Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, Central Coast and throughout suburban Sydney. The days around Christmas are spent cleaning, preparing for and looking after our seventy-plus lunch guests. Jesus, your ‘strays’ are the best.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
Learn to Praise God
The desire to praise God, which is written on the human heart, is
often obscured or deadened by the cares and worries of life in a fallen world.
Praise is a kind of prayer, so understanding what distinguishes it may help you
in your efforts to do it.
August
12
St. Jane Frances de Chantal
(1562-1641)
St. Jane Frances de Chantal
(1562-1641)
Jane
Frances was wife, mother, nun and founder of a religious community. Her mother
died when Jane was 18 months old, and her father, head of parliament at Dijon,
France, became the main influence on her education. She developed into a woman
of beauty and refinement, lively and cheerful in temperament. At 21 she married
Baron de Chantal, by whom she had six children, three of whom died in infancy.
At her castle she restored the custom of daily Mass, and was seriously engaged
in various charitable works.
Jane's
husband was killed after seven years of marriage, and she sank into deep
dejection for four months at her family home. Her father-in-law threatened to
disinherit her children if she did not return to his home. He was then 75,
vain, fierce and extravagant. Jane Frances managed to remain cheerful in spite
of him and his insolent housekeeper.
When she
was 32, she met St. Francis de Sales who became her spiritual director,
softening some of the severities imposed by her former director. She wanted to
become a nun but he persuaded her to defer this decision. She took a vow to
remain unmarried and to obey her director.
After
three years Francis told her of his plan to found an institute of women which
would be a haven for those whose health, age or other considerations barred
them from entering the already established communities. There would be no
cloister, and they would be free to undertake spiritual and corporal works of
mercy. They were primarily intended to exemplify the virtues of Mary at the
Visitation (hence their name, the Visitation nuns): humility and meekness.
The usual
opposition to women in active ministry arose and Francis de Sales was obliged
to make it a cloistered community following the Rule of St. Augustine. Francis
wrote his famous Treatise on the Love of God for them. The
congregation (three women) began when Jane Frances was 45. She underwent great
sufferings: Francis de Sales died; her son was killed; a plague ravaged France;
her daughter-in-law and son-in-law died. She encouraged the local authorities
to make great efforts for the victims of the plague and she put all her
convent’s resources at the disposal of the sick.
During a
part of her religious life, she had to undergo great trials of the
spirit—interior anguish, darkness and spiritual dryness. She died while on a
visitation of convents of the community.
Comment:
It may strike some as unusual that a saint should be subject to spiritual dryness, darkness, interior anguish. We tend to think that such things are the usual condition of “ordinary” sinful people. Some of our lack of spiritual liveliness may indeed be our fault. But the life of faith is still one that is lived in trust, and sometimes the darkness is so great that trust is pressed to its limit.
It may strike some as unusual that a saint should be subject to spiritual dryness, darkness, interior anguish. We tend to think that such things are the usual condition of “ordinary” sinful people. Some of our lack of spiritual liveliness may indeed be our fault. But the life of faith is still one that is lived in trust, and sometimes the darkness is so great that trust is pressed to its limit.
Quote:
St. Vincent de Paul said of Jane Frances: “She was full of faith, yet all her life had been tormented by thoughts against it. While apparently enjoying the peace and easiness of mind of souls who have reached a high state of virtue, she suffered such interior trials that she often told me her mind was so filled with all sorts of temptations and abominations that she had to strive not to look within herself...But for all that suffering her face never lost its serenity, nor did she once relax in the fidelity God asked of her. And so I regard her as one of the holiest souls I have ever met on this earth” (Butler’s Lives of the Saints).
St. Vincent de Paul said of Jane Frances: “She was full of faith, yet all her life had been tormented by thoughts against it. While apparently enjoying the peace and easiness of mind of souls who have reached a high state of virtue, she suffered such interior trials that she often told me her mind was so filled with all sorts of temptations and abominations that she had to strive not to look within herself...But for all that suffering her face never lost its serenity, nor did she once relax in the fidelity God asked of her. And so I regard her as one of the holiest souls I have ever met on this earth” (Butler’s Lives of the Saints).
LECTIO DIVINA:
MATTHEW 18,1-5.10.12-14
Lectio:
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Almighty and ever-living God,
your Spirit made us your children,
confident to call you Father.
Increase your Spirit within us
and bring us to our promised inheritance.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
your Spirit made us your children,
confident to call you Father.
Increase your Spirit within us
and bring us to our promised inheritance.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 18,1-5.10.12-14
At this time the disciples came to Jesus and said, 'Who is the
greatest in the kingdom of Heaven?' So he called a little child to him whom he
set among them. Then he said, 'In truth I tell you, 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 one little child like this in my name
welcomes me.
'See that you never despise any of these little ones, for I tell you that therein 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? In truth I tell you, 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.
'See that you never despise any of these little ones, for I tell you that therein 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? In truth I tell you, 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.
3) Reflection
• Here, in Chapter 18 of the Gospel of Matthew begins the fourth
great discourse of the New Law, the Discourse of the Community. As has already
been said before (on Monday of the 10th Week of the Year), the Gospel of
Matthew written for the communities of the Christian Jews of Galilee and of
Syria, present Jesus as the new Moses. In the Old Testament, the Law of Moses
was codified in the five books of the Pentateuch. Imitating the ancient model,
Matthew represents the New Law in five great Discourses: (a) The Sermon on the
Mountain (Mt 5, 1 to 7, 29); (b) the Discourse of the Mission (Mt 10, 1-42);
(c) The Discourse of the Parables (Mt 13, 1-52); (d) The Discourse of the
Community (Mt 18, 1-35); (e) The discourse of the Future of the Kingdom (Mt
24,1 to 25,46). The narrative parts which are inserted among the five
Discourses describe the practice of Jesus and show how he practiced and
embodied the New Law in his life.
• The Gospel today gives the first part of the Discourse of the Community (Mt 18, 1-14) which has as key word “the little ones”. The little ones are not only the children, but also the poor persons, those who are not important in society and in the community, and also the children. Jesus asks that these “little ones” should always be the centre of the concern of the communities because “The Father in Heaven does not will that one of these little ones should be lost” (Mt 18, 14).
• Matthew 18, 1: The question of the disciples which provokes the teaching of Jesus. The disciples want to know who is the greater in the Kingdom. The simple fact of this question reveals that they had not understood anything or very little the message of Jesus. The whole Discourse of the Community, is in order to make them understand that among the followers of Jesus the spirit of service should prevail, the gift of self, of pardon, of reconciliation and of gratuitous love, without seeking one’s own interest and one’s own promotion.
• Matthew 18, 2-5: The fundamental criterion: the little one and the greater one. The disciples ask for a criterion so as to be able to measure the importance of the persons in the community: “Who is the greater in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus answers that the criterion are the littler ones! The little ones are not socially important; they do not belong to the world of the great. The disciples have to become children. Instead of growing up, to the heights, they must grow down and toward the periphery, where the poor and the little ones live. In this way, they will be the greater in the Kingdom! The reason is the following: “Anyone who receives one of these little ones receives me”. Jesus identifies himself with them. The love of Jesus for the little ones cannot be explained. Children have no merit. It is the complete gratuity of the love of God which manifests itself and asks to be imitated in the community of those who call themselves disciples of Jesus.
• Matthew 18, 6-9: Do not scandalize the little ones. These four verses concerning the scandal to little ones are omitted from today’s Gospel. We give a brief commentary on them. To scandalize the little ones means: to be the cause for them to lose their faith in God and to abandon the community. Matthew keeps a very hard phrase of Jesus: “Anyone who scandalizes even one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him to have a mill stone tied around his neck and then be thrown into the sea”. It is a sign that at that time many little ones no longer identified themselves with the community and sought another refuge. And today, in Latin America, for example, every year, approximately three million persons abandon the historical Church and go toward the Evangelical churches. This is a sign that they do not feel at home among us. What is lacking in us? Which is the cause of this scandal of the little ones? In order to avoid the scandal, Jesus orders to cut the foot or take out the eye. This phrase cannot be taken literally. It means that we should be very firm, strict in fighting against scandal which draws the little ones away. We cannot, in any way, allow that the little ones should feel marginalized in our community; because in this case, the community would not be a sign of the Kingdom of God.
• Matthew 18, 10-11: The angels of the little ones are in the presence of the Father. Jesus recalls Psalm 91. The little ones take Yahweh as their refuge and make the most High their fortress (Ps 91, 9) and because of this: “No disaster can overtake you, no plague come near your tent; he has given angels orders about you to guard you wherever you go. They will carry you in their arms in case you trip over a stone” (Ps 91, 10, 12).
• Matthew 18, 12-14: The parable of the one hundred sheep. According to Luke, this parable reveals the joy of God on the conversion of a sinner (Lk 15, 3-7). According to Matthew, it reveals that the Father does not want that not even one of the little ones be lost. In other words, the little ones should be the pastoral priority of the Community, of the Church. They should be in the centre of the concern of all. Love toward the little ones and the excluded should be the axis of the community of those who want to follow Jesus; because it is in this way that the community becomes the proof of the gratuitous love of God who accepts all.
• The Gospel today gives the first part of the Discourse of the Community (Mt 18, 1-14) which has as key word “the little ones”. The little ones are not only the children, but also the poor persons, those who are not important in society and in the community, and also the children. Jesus asks that these “little ones” should always be the centre of the concern of the communities because “The Father in Heaven does not will that one of these little ones should be lost” (Mt 18, 14).
• Matthew 18, 1: The question of the disciples which provokes the teaching of Jesus. The disciples want to know who is the greater in the Kingdom. The simple fact of this question reveals that they had not understood anything or very little the message of Jesus. The whole Discourse of the Community, is in order to make them understand that among the followers of Jesus the spirit of service should prevail, the gift of self, of pardon, of reconciliation and of gratuitous love, without seeking one’s own interest and one’s own promotion.
• Matthew 18, 2-5: The fundamental criterion: the little one and the greater one. The disciples ask for a criterion so as to be able to measure the importance of the persons in the community: “Who is the greater in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus answers that the criterion are the littler ones! The little ones are not socially important; they do not belong to the world of the great. The disciples have to become children. Instead of growing up, to the heights, they must grow down and toward the periphery, where the poor and the little ones live. In this way, they will be the greater in the Kingdom! The reason is the following: “Anyone who receives one of these little ones receives me”. Jesus identifies himself with them. The love of Jesus for the little ones cannot be explained. Children have no merit. It is the complete gratuity of the love of God which manifests itself and asks to be imitated in the community of those who call themselves disciples of Jesus.
• Matthew 18, 6-9: Do not scandalize the little ones. These four verses concerning the scandal to little ones are omitted from today’s Gospel. We give a brief commentary on them. To scandalize the little ones means: to be the cause for them to lose their faith in God and to abandon the community. Matthew keeps a very hard phrase of Jesus: “Anyone who scandalizes even one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him to have a mill stone tied around his neck and then be thrown into the sea”. It is a sign that at that time many little ones no longer identified themselves with the community and sought another refuge. And today, in Latin America, for example, every year, approximately three million persons abandon the historical Church and go toward the Evangelical churches. This is a sign that they do not feel at home among us. What is lacking in us? Which is the cause of this scandal of the little ones? In order to avoid the scandal, Jesus orders to cut the foot or take out the eye. This phrase cannot be taken literally. It means that we should be very firm, strict in fighting against scandal which draws the little ones away. We cannot, in any way, allow that the little ones should feel marginalized in our community; because in this case, the community would not be a sign of the Kingdom of God.
• Matthew 18, 10-11: The angels of the little ones are in the presence of the Father. Jesus recalls Psalm 91. The little ones take Yahweh as their refuge and make the most High their fortress (Ps 91, 9) and because of this: “No disaster can overtake you, no plague come near your tent; he has given angels orders about you to guard you wherever you go. They will carry you in their arms in case you trip over a stone” (Ps 91, 10, 12).
• Matthew 18, 12-14: The parable of the one hundred sheep. According to Luke, this parable reveals the joy of God on the conversion of a sinner (Lk 15, 3-7). According to Matthew, it reveals that the Father does not want that not even one of the little ones be lost. In other words, the little ones should be the pastoral priority of the Community, of the Church. They should be in the centre of the concern of all. Love toward the little ones and the excluded should be the axis of the community of those who want to follow Jesus; because it is in this way that the community becomes the proof of the gratuitous love of God who accepts all.
4) Personal questions
• Who are the poorest persons of our neighbourhood? Do they
participate in our community? Do they feel at home or do they find in us a
cause to withdraw?
• God the Father does not want any of the little ones to get lost. What does this mean for our community?
• God the Father does not want any of the little ones to get lost. What does this mean for our community?
5) Concluding Prayer
Your instructions are my eternal heritage,
they are the joy of my heart.
I devote myself to obeying your statutes,
their recompense is eternal. (Ps 119,111-112)
they are the joy of my heart.
I devote myself to obeying your statutes,
their recompense is eternal. (Ps 119,111-112)
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