Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 414
Lectionary: 414
When Moses had
finished speaking to all Israel, he said to them,
“I am now one hundred and twenty years old
and am no longer able to move about freely;
besides, the LORD has told me that I shall not cross this Jordan.
It is the LORD, your God, who will cross before you;
he will destroy these nations before you,
that you may supplant them.
It is Joshua who will cross before you, as the LORD promised.
The LORD will deal with them just as he dealt with Sihon and Og,
the kings of the Amorites whom he destroyed,
and with their country.
When, therefore, the LORD delivers them up to you,
you must deal with them exactly as I have ordered you.
Be brave and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them,
for it is the LORD, your God, who marches with you;
he will never fail you or forsake you.”
Then Moses summoned Joshua and in the presence of all Israel
said to him, “Be brave and steadfast,
for you must bring this people into the land
which the LORD swore to their fathers he would give them;
you must put them in possession of their heritage.
It is the LORD who marches before you;
he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you.
So do not fear or be dismayed.”
“I am now one hundred and twenty years old
and am no longer able to move about freely;
besides, the LORD has told me that I shall not cross this Jordan.
It is the LORD, your God, who will cross before you;
he will destroy these nations before you,
that you may supplant them.
It is Joshua who will cross before you, as the LORD promised.
The LORD will deal with them just as he dealt with Sihon and Og,
the kings of the Amorites whom he destroyed,
and with their country.
When, therefore, the LORD delivers them up to you,
you must deal with them exactly as I have ordered you.
Be brave and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them,
for it is the LORD, your God, who marches with you;
he will never fail you or forsake you.”
Then Moses summoned Joshua and in the presence of all Israel
said to him, “Be brave and steadfast,
for you must bring this people into the land
which the LORD swore to their fathers he would give them;
you must put them in possession of their heritage.
It is the LORD who marches before you;
he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you.
So do not fear or be dismayed.”
Responsorial PsalmDT 32:3-4AB, 7, 8, 9 AND 12
R. (9a) The portion of the Lord is his people.
For I will sing the LORD’s renown.
Oh, proclaim the greatness of our God!
The Rock–how faultless are his deeds,
how right all his ways!
R. The portion of the Lord is his people.
Think back on the days of old,
reflect on the years of age upon age.
Ask your father and he will inform you,
ask your elders and they will tell you.
R. The portion of the Lord is his people.
When the Most High assigned the nations their heritage,
when he parceled out the descendants of Adam,
He set up the boundaries of the peoples
after the number of the sons of Israel.
R. The portion of the Lord is his people.
While the LORD’s own portion was Jacob,
his hereditary share was Israel.
The LORD alone was their leader,
no strange god was with him.
R. The portion of the Lord is his people.
For I will sing the LORD’s renown.
Oh, proclaim the greatness of our God!
The Rock–how faultless are his deeds,
how right all his ways!
R. The portion of the Lord is his people.
Think back on the days of old,
reflect on the years of age upon age.
Ask your father and he will inform you,
ask your elders and they will tell you.
R. The portion of the Lord is his people.
When the Most High assigned the nations their heritage,
when he parceled out the descendants of Adam,
He set up the boundaries of the peoples
after the number of the sons of Israel.
R. The portion of the Lord is his people.
While the LORD’s own portion was Jacob,
his hereditary share was Israel.
The LORD alone was their leader,
no strange god was with him.
R. The portion of the Lord is his people.
GospelMT 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). 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. 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 or child.
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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Tuesday of the
Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
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Father Steven Reilly, LC
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.
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 13
MATTHEW 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
MATTHEW 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
(Deuteronomy 31:1-8; Psalm: Deuteronomy 32)
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 shepherdswho 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 Pontian, pope and Martyr and
Hippolytus, priest and martyr
Pontian was ordained bishop of Rome in 231 but was banished from his diocese to the island of Sardinia four years later by Emperor Maximinus. While exiled on Sardinia, Pontian resigned his office so a new pope could be elected. In the year 235, Hippolytus was banished to Sardinia with Pontian. The two men died for the faith after harsh treatment and exhaustion in the mines of Sardinia.Hippolytus was an adamant advocate for orthodoxy and had vocal disagreements with several popes. At one time he was elected "antipope" by his followers. The writings of Hippolytus are one of the most important sources for information on liturgy and the structure of the Church in the second and third centuries. Shortly before or after this event, Hippolytus was reconciled to the Church, and died with Pope Pontian in exile. After their deaths, the bodies of Pontian and Hippolytus were brought back to Rome and buried with solemn rites as martyrs.
The portion of the Lord is his people
How we can become more like little children? When do we lose those childlike qualities that Jesus is referring to? Children trust wholeheartedly. They’re curious and keen to learn. They depend on us to protect and care for them. They know when they need help and they ask for it.
Children came spontaneously to Jesus. They wanted to be near him, to hear his stories. How different from the adults, especially the teachers and scribes, who were hostile and constantly judging and arguing with Jesus. Jesus also teaches us here to welcome the strangers and those who find life a struggle. They need someone to stand up for them. The shepherds were despised in Jesus’ day. Who are the ‘shepherds’ of today?
August 13
Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus
(d. 235)
Sts. Pontian and Hippolytus
(d. 235)
Two men died for the faith after harsh treatment and exhaustion in
the mines of Sardinia. One had been pope for five years, the other an antipope
for 18. They died reconciled.
Pontian. Pontian
was a Roman who served as pope from 230 to 235. During his reign he held a
synod which confirmed the excommunication of the great theologian Origen in
Alexandria. Pontian was banished to exile by the Roman emperor in 235, and
resigned so that a successor could be elected in Rome. He was sent to the
“unhealthy” island of Sardinia, where he died of harsh treatment in 235. With
him was Hippolytus (see below) with whom he was reconciled. The bodies of both
martyrs were brought back to Rome and buried with solemn rites as martyrs.
Hippolytus. As
a priest in Rome, Hippolytus (the name means “a horse turned loose”) was at
first “holier than the Church.” He censured the pope for not coming down hard
enough on a certain heresy—calling him a tool in the hands of one Callistus, a
deacon—and coming close to advocating the opposite heresy himself. When
Callistus was elected pope, Hippolytus accused him of being too lenient with
penitents, and had himself elected antipope by a group of followers. He felt
that the Church must be composed of pure souls uncompromisingly separated from
the world: Hippolytus evidently thought that his group fitted the description.
He remained in schism through the reigns of three popes. In 235 he was also
banished to the island of Sardinia. Shortly before or after this event, he was
reconciled to the Church, and died with Pope Pontian in exile.
Hippolytus
was a rigorist, a vehement and intransigent man for whom even orthodox doctrine
and practice were not purified enough. He is, nevertheless, the most important
theologian and prolific religious writer before the age of Constantine. His
writings are the fullest source of our knowledge of the Roman liturgy and the
structure of the Church in the second and third centuries. His works include many
Scripture commentaries, polemics against heresies and a history of the world. A
marble statue, dating from the third century, representing the saint sitting in
a chair, was found in 1551. On one side is inscribed his table for computing
the date of Easter, on the other a list of how the system works out until the
year 224. Blessed John XXIII installed the statue in the Vatican library.
Comment:
Hippolytus was a strong defender of orthodoxy, and admitted his excesses by his humble reconciliation. He was not a formal heretic, but an overzealous disciplinarian. What he could not learn in his prime as a reformer and purist, he learned in the pain and desolation of imprisonment. It was a fitting symbolic event that Pope Pontian shared his martyrdom.
Hippolytus was a strong defender of orthodoxy, and admitted his excesses by his humble reconciliation. He was not a formal heretic, but an overzealous disciplinarian. What he could not learn in his prime as a reformer and purist, he learned in the pain and desolation of imprisonment. It was a fitting symbolic event that Pope Pontian shared his martyrdom.
Quote:
“Christ, like a skillful physician, understands the weakness of men. He loves to teach the ignorant and the erring he turns again to his own true way. He is easily found by those who live by faith; and to those of pure eye and holy heart, who desire to knock at the door, he opens immediately. He does not disdain the barbarian, nor does he set the eunuch aside as no man. He does not hate the female on account of the woman’s act of disobedience in the beginning, nor does he reject the male on account of the man’s transgression. But he seeks all, and desires to save all, wishing to make all the children of God, and calling all the saints unto one perfect man” (Hippolytus, Treatise on Christ and Antichrist).
“Christ, like a skillful physician, understands the weakness of men. He loves to teach the ignorant and the erring he turns again to his own true way. He is easily found by those who live by faith; and to those of pure eye and holy heart, who desire to knock at the door, he opens immediately. He does not disdain the barbarian, nor does he set the eunuch aside as no man. He does not hate the female on account of the woman’s act of disobedience in the beginning, nor does he reject the male on account of the man’s transgression. But he seeks all, and desires to save all, wishing to make all the children of God, and calling all the saints unto one perfect man” (Hippolytus, Treatise on Christ and Antichrist).
LECTIO: MATTHEW
18,1-5.10.12-14
Lectio:
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
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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