GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 9TH AUGUST 2016
TUESDAY OF THE 19TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
1ST READING: Ezekiel 2:8 – 3:4
PSALM: Psalm 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131
GOSPEL: Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
THEME: BECOME A LITTLE CHILD
A plane up there in the sky was hit hard by a severe turbulence. The jittery movement of the plane caused panic and agitation among the passengers. Meanwhile, there in the plane was a little girl, seated unperturbed and with a deep sense of calmness. One of the passengers walked up to her and asks, “Are you not afraid? We are going to crash.” With a smile, the girl responded, “No, I am not afraid; I know the pilot. He is my father.” I guess this is a familiar story and yet the lesson inherent in it – childlike trust – is timeless.
In our Gospel text for today, Jesus, in responding to the question on who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, holds up a child as a model and says, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Mt. 18:3-4).
A child is held out as a model in the above text because of their complete dependence and trust in their parents. From the womb to the first day at school, a child depends on someone for survival. Even Jesus, the Son of God, had to depend on Joseph and Mary to survive during his childhood years.
The call to change and become like children is a call to depend on and trust in the Lord. The greatest in the kingdom of heaven is therefore the one who trusts so much in the Lord that he/she does whatever the Lord tells him/her.
Jesus is our pilot. He is “flying” us all the way to the kingdom of heaven. The turbulence and storms of life may shake our planes, but there is no need for us to shake. He knows the way to heaven and how to meander through the windblasts. In him have we put our trust.
Lord Jesus, no matter what may come my way, I place my trust in you, for I am safe in your arms. Amen
Fr. Andrews Obeng, SVD
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)