Ezekiel 18:1-10, 13b, 30-32
Matthew 19:13-15
The readings of today offer us an invitation to pause and reflect on how we can integrate Sacred Scripture into our lives. The first reading from the prophet Ezekiel simply suggests that. We are not responsible for the sins of our fathers, rather we walk purposefully towards our heritage. Not all are guilty of the social ills but all are responsible to eradicate them. In other words, we are invited to be virtuous in life. Our Gospel offers a similar idea, let the children come to Jesus, it is he desires to have a relationship with them, with you and me.
As vulnerable as a child is, no one or nothing should stop them from being in the presence of God, Our Father. Children at the time of Christ were among the most neglected and less cared for in society. They had no rights, positions, or privileges of their own as they were placed at the service and mercy of their parents much like domestic servants. To welcome a child in one’s midst as a guest was such a hard thing to see. Christ’s gesture in today’s gospel, therefore, is to teach us to identify with the downtrodden, the weak, vulnerable and most neglected of society because the greatest in God’s kingdom is the least and most neglected in the eyes of the world. That is, the one who is humble and lowly of heart who willingly empties himself of pride and self-seeking glory, taking the position of a servant like a child. Christ remains our model as He came not to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28).
He lowered Himself and took our lowly nature so that He might raise us and clothe us in His Divine nature. For us to follow in His footsteps then, we must ask ourselves what our rapport with those on the margins of the society is. Do we see in them the image of God worthy of love or do we see them as burdensome nonentities to be avoided?
We are ever mindful of the thousands of children all around the world who are discriminated against because of race, colour, religious beliefs, and gender. Children who are beaten, tortured, kidnapped, and abused in dysfunctional, loveless homes; as well as those who are alone in their final hours of life with no one to comfort them.
Can we welcome and serve them? When we are able to welcome such, then it is God we are welcoming and we become great in His Kingdom. Only then can we be proud to embrace His Cross, because we are able to see beyond its passion and shame to its joy and glory. And we become the possessors of the true Wisdom which comes from above that makes us agents of peace and harmony rather than the wisdom from below overruled by ambition that makes us agents of war and strife. May the Lord empty us of pride and fill us with humility so that we might seek Him the true Wisdom and become great in His Kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Shalom
Fr. Osho OSJ
Credit:
This article is written by Rev Fr. Joseph Osho OSJ. Please visit his personal blog @ https://www.blogger.com/profile/10377666931103644634
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