Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14 Reflection
The world entices us with convenience, pleasures of all types, a desire to possess, and a different definition of love than we knew when we were more innocent. The parable of the lost sheep seems reversed today compared to our youth, as a high percentage seems lost, not just one. It is virtually impossible not to want what the majority has unless we willingly turn to Jesus. The result of doing so provides an option to learn to speak in a soft voice and be humble like a child.” The path to innocence is a symbolic desire to “allow Jesus to find you.”
Jesus and the Little Child by James Tissot (full resolution image of painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14 – Scripture (NRSV Bible)
True Greatness
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a child, whom he put among them, 3 and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
10 “Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. 12 What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14 Reflection – Humble Like a Child.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the passage of Matthew 18.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Humble like a child
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Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.