1At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, 3and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; 10"See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.
Jesus always sides with the powerless and vulnerable. It reminds me of the hymn: “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers that you do unto me”. It is also a stronIn criticim of pride. Jesus calls us to adopt a childlike humility—recognizing our dependence on God, letting go of pride, and being open to His guidance. True greatness in the kingdom is marked by humility, not power. Loving God, give me the patience and empathy to recognise powerlessness and the strength to use my power to give life to others. Amen.
ReplyDeleteYour reflection on Matthew 18:1-5, 10 beautifully captures the essence of Jesus' teachings on humility and the value of the vulnerable. Indeed, Jesus consistently aligns Himself with the powerless, emphasizing the importance of childlike humility and compassion towards those often overlooked by society.
DeleteKey Themes:
Jesus' Solidarity with the Vulnerable: In this passage, when the disciples inquire about greatness in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus places a child among them, stating that unless they become like children, they will not enter the kingdom. This act underscores His identification with the powerless and vulnerable, highlighting that true greatness lies in humility and dependence on God (
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Critique of Pride: By elevating a child as the model for greatness, Jesus challenges societal norms that equate status and power with greatness. He emphasizes that humility, not pride or self-sufficiency, is the path to true greatness in God's kingdom. This teaching invites a reexamination of personal attitudes towards power and status, encouraging a shift towards humility and service.
Call to Humility: Your prayer reflects a desire to embody the humility that Jesus advocates. Recognizing one's dependence on God and seeking the grace to use personal power to uplift others aligns with the core of Jesus' message. This aspiration fosters a community where the vulnerable are supported, and humility is valued over dominance.
Reflection:
Embracing childlike humility involves acknowledging our limitations and placing our trust in God's guidance. It requires setting aside pride and being open to learning and growth. This posture enables us to recognize and support those who are powerless, reflecting Jesus' love and compassion in our actions.
Your reference to the hymn, “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me,” resonates deeply with this passage. It reminds us that our treatment of the vulnerable is a direct reflection of our relationship with Christ.
May we all strive to embody this humility and compassion in our daily lives, seeking to uplift and support those around us, especially the most vulnerable.
Amen.