Friday, October 02, 2015

A Layman’s Take on Today’s Gospel Reading: Lectionary 459/650


Key
Bold = verse commented upon
Blue = comments
Highlight = direct commands

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 humbles himself 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.”

1.           This child came when Jesus called, even though he likely did not understand why Jesus was calling him or what would happen once he came over to Jesus. Same dynamic as Sirach 2:4 and Sirach 3:22?

2.           Chances are that the child was probably doing something else he would rather have kept doing, and may have been reluctant to come with Jesus.

3.           But because he did come, the child was part of something truly great: he was part of an illustration that has had—and continues to have—tremendous impact over the years.

4.           The child was able to be a part of that because he was close enough to Jesus to be available.

5.           We should not be too proud to learn from the examples of those that society (and even ourselves) considers to be our inferior.  Same dynamic as Proverbs 6:6-8 and Proverbs 30:24-28?

No comments: