August 14, 2018
Today’s gospel is one that I feel we tend to gloss over as a couple of cute little metaphors that seem lovely in theory, but are not necessarily applicable to “real” life. Jesus, however, does not simply tell nice little stories to make us feel warm and fuzzy. He came to give us radical, sometimes counter cultural, high-minded, deep-seated, and uncompromising ways to change our lives so that we can and will be and receive the kind of love necessary for heaven. The first lesson opens with the very grown up and prideful question, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” I know that we are constantly comparing ourselves to one another in our work place, or regarding our outward appearance, our possessions, our real estate, our popularity, and yes, even our “churchliness”. This is a very adult thing to do and is all based in pride. Jesus counters with, “Unless you turn and become like a child, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.” We must turn away from pride and become receptive like a child to learn, to grow, to notknow everything, to trust, to be small, to play, to embrace wonder and awe, to be authentic, to be dependent, to be obedient, and to be innocent. These are very non-grown-up qualities that require a radical change in our lifestyles. Again, Jesus is not just telling us a nice anecdote, he’s telling us to change drastically. How can I practice wonder today? How can I reclaim innocence? How can I become small?
The other story Jesus uses to illustrate who is “worthy” of heaven is that of the lost sheep. When he asks the question, “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?” The correct answer in Middle Eastern culture would be, “Absolutely not!” They would never leave the ninety-nine in search of one. Radical. Counter cultural. Uncompromising. Who does Jesus tell us are the “greatest” in His Kingdom? The lost and the lowly. Raise your hand if you’ve ever been lost. Raise your hand if you have ever experienced the kind of humility that evokes complete wonder within your soul. Raise your hand if you wake up everyday with the desire to grow in faith and to learn. Raise your hand if you understand that God is God and you are not. These are the surges of our hearts that can help us to become like the little ones that Jesus loves above all, and when we are lost, the confidence that Jesus longs to find us.
Our call today and everyday is to be little and found: open to wonder and dependent on God. These are the things that keep our eyes fixed on heaven. These are the qualities that allow us to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, and spirit. These are the practices that show us the way to eternity. I pray that we connect with the childlike faith within each one of us and that we sit and wait to be found by the one that leaves the ninety-nine for us. And it is well with my soul.
Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and Martyr
Lectionary: 414
Reading 1 EZ 2:8—3:4
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.
It was then I saw a hand stretched out to me,
in which was a written scroll which he unrolled before me.
It was covered with writing front and back,
and written on it was:
Lamentation and wailing and woe!
He said to me: Son of man, eat what is before you;
eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel.
So I opened my mouth and he gave me the scroll to eat.
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: Son of man, go now to the house of Israel,
and speak my words to them.
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.
It was then I saw a hand stretched out to me,
in which was a written scroll which he unrolled before me.
It was covered with writing front and back,
and written on it was:
Lamentation and wailing and woe!
He said to me: Son of man, eat what is before you;
eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel.
So I opened my mouth and he gave me the scroll to eat.
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: Son of man, go now to the house of Israel,
and speak my words to them.
Responsorial Psalm PS 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131
R. (103a) How sweet to my taste is your promise!
In the way of your decrees I rejoice,
as much as in all riches.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Yes, your decrees are my delight;
they are my counselors.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
How sweet to my palate are your promises,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Your decrees are my inheritance forever;
the joy of my heart they are.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
I gasp with open mouth,
in my yearning for your commands.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
In the way of your decrees I rejoice,
as much as in all riches.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Yes, your decrees are my delight;
they are my counselors.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
How sweet to my palate are your promises,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Your decrees are my inheritance forever;
the joy of my heart they are.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
I gasp with open mouth,
in my yearning for your commands.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
Alleluia MT 11:29AB
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MT 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
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 becomes humble 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.
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?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it
than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost.”
“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 becomes humble 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.
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?
And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it
than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost.”
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