At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” – Matthew 18:1

One late evening, Leah, Tina and Mark argued with one another. They all wanted to be the restaurant’s next manager since the post was vacant. Leah was the “employee of the month” for five consecutive times. Tina was always assigned by the owner to attend to VIPs. Mark was always chosen to represent the boss in annual food and beverage conferences.

       The new employee, Ritchie, wanted to sit with them. They shooed him away. A couple entered the restaurant while the three were still debating. They told the new customers that the chef was gone and they were about to close. Ritchie knew this wasn’t true. He found a table for the couple but they left.

       The following day, the boss arrived. He introduced Ritchie as his son, part-owner of the restaurant and their new manager. Their jaws dropped. Apparently, he worked as a waiter for a month just to observe the ongoings in the restaurant.

       Leah, Tina and Mark, in a way, were like the disciples contending who among them was the greatest while trying to put the others down. Jesus cautioned them from looking down on fellow disciples and not to despise the little ones (Matthew 18:10).

Reflection: “The greatest among you will be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)

Jesus, I can think of no one greater than You, yet You were born in a little manger. Help me have a humble heart.

St. Louis of Toulouse, pray for us.

The Word of God is sweet food for our minds and hearts. It guides us in the ways of truth and love. There is nothing better than spending time studying and discussing with others who love the Word of God about the meaning of a particular scriptural text. It can be very helpful to discuss the Scriptures with others as they could give you an insight that you might never see from your perspective.

8 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. 9 It was then I saw a hand stretched out to me, in which was a written scroll 10 which he unrolled before me. It was covered with writing front and back, and written on it was: Lamentation and wailing and woe! 3: 1 He said to me: Son of man, eat what is before you; eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel. 2 So I opened my mouth and he gave me the scroll to eat. 3 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: 4 Son of man, go now to the house of Israel, and speak my words to them.

R: How sweet to my taste is your promise!

14 In the way of your decrees I rejoice, as much as in all riches. (R) 24 Yes, your decrees are my delight; they are my counselors. (R) 72 The law of your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces. (R) 103 How sweet to my palate are your promises, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (R) 111 Your decrees are my inheritance forever; the joy of my heart they are. (R) 131 I gasp with open mouth in my yearning for your commands. (R)

Jesus often uses the example of a child to speak about the nature of faith. He knows that we are familiar with the innocence and openness of children, which is essential if we want to develop our faith. Children are ready and willing to trust without the need to question too much, though some can be very inquisitive from time to time. It is helpful to trust when we know that a good deal of our faith is shrouded in mystery, and that we will not understand it fully, no matter how hard we try to understand it.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.

1 The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a child over, placed it in their midst, 3 and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. 10 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. 12 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? 13 And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. 14 In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”

think:  The Word of God is sweet food for our minds and hearts.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2 Maccabees 9-10

THE LOVING HEART OF GOD

We cannot doubt the loving nature of the heart of God. The Scriptures are full of invitations for us to repent of our sins and return to God and He will welcome us back like a long-lost child. God is a God of forgiveness; He is not interested in holding our sins against us. He is interested in whether or not we want to be free of them. Let us reflect on what this might mean for us.

       One of the natural human responses to sin is resentment and unforgiveness towards the sinner. This is not the way that God’s heart works. Neither should it be the way we respond to those who sin against us, no matter how badly the person may have wronged us.

           Our challenge is to meditate on such parables as the Lost Sheep and the Prodigal Son and ask God to transform our hearts so we can respond to those who sin against us as He does. This is not an easy task. We are all sinners and, thus, we should be able to understand how important it is to forgive. But that still does not make it any easier to do. Let us not give up, though, in the pursuit of the higher goal.

       It is the heart of the Father that we have to develop in order to respond well to those who sin against us, regardless of whether they ask for forgiveness or not. Think of the parents of a child who does something wrong. Just because the child has sinned does not mean that they reject the child. On the contrary, they want to draw the child back to them and forgive him, at the same time teaching the child that his action was wrong and should not be repeated. The desire of a parent is to be united in peace with the child, not separation. This, too, is the way it should be with us when people sin against us.

       Our challenge is to embrace the call of forgiveness. Just as God has forgiven us, so should we forgive those who sin against us. Does this sound familiar to you? We say it every time we pray “The Lord’s Prayer.” Let us put these words into action in our lives. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Have you sought God’s forgiveness lately? Is there anyone who needs your forgiveness, too? Why not forgive him now?

Jesus, teach me not only to love the way You do, but also to forgive those who sin against me the same way You have forgiven my sins.