Childlike

Readings for Tuesday August 11, 2009

Memorial of Saint Claire, virgin

First Reading: Deuteronomy 31:1-8
Responsorial Psalm: Deuteronomy 32
Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5,10,12-14


Be brave and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the LORD, your God, who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you.” (Dt. 31:6)

“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 18:3-4)

In some of his final words to the people, Moses told the people to trust in God when they go into the land which He promised. He told them to be "brave and steadfast" and to "have to fear or dread." These are words to which not only the people should have taken hold of, but words that we should always remember as well. We must not be afraid of any challenge, struggle, or obstacle in our lives, for the Lord is with us and with Him nothing is impossible. It is important that when the world challenges us that we remember that it is the Lord who marches with us, and He will never fail or forsake us.

So how do we keep these words close to our hearts and in our mind? By becoming like little children. Jesus tells us today that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven is the childlike. Now, Jesus is not saying that we should be acting out like children, I don't think that your boss would appreciate you going around hitting, kicking and calling people names. But it does mean that we need to humble ourselves like children and rely solely on God. This is what Moses was asking the Israelites to do, and it is what Christ is asking of us as well.

If we can humble ourselves and become totally reliant on our Father in heaven, like little children to their parents; then we will have no problems being brave and steadfast and marching with the Lord in confidence.

Father above, we thank you for the gift of this day. Lord help us to humble ourselves like children and to follow you no matter where you lead us to. Lord, you are our God and creator, help us to rely on you who know us so well. Thank you for our family and friends which you have placed in our lives. We pray for all those who have fallen away from the church, may they be brought back to your love. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.