children in the kingdom

Good morning sisters and brothers,
In the Gospels the disciples are often examples of what we do wrong, even though after Jesus resurrection they become examples for us of faithful discipleship. Here, they are concerned about status in the kingdom of heaven. There's a part of us that always wants to be first, and the disciples are as tempted by status as anyone else. Jesus turns the question upside down by saying a child will be first in the kingdom. This is partly about humility and partly about God's constant care for the most vulnerable in the world. How can we be like children in the right way to fit into God's kingdom? What can kids teach us about God's way?

God bless,
Sam

Matthew 18:1-14

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2He called a child, whom he put among them, 3and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. 6“If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea.



7Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes! 8“If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell of fire. 10“Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. 12What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.

the cross, greatness and openness

Good morning all,
Today's reading is an interesting collection of sayings on discipleship. Jesus tells his disciples that he will be killed, and again this seems to go totally over their heads. Instead of asking him questions about why this is going to happen or what it means, the disciples get right into arguing about which of them is the greatest. Jesus reminds them that his community doesn't define greatness the same way the rest of the world does.

John (son of Zebedee, not the Baptist) then reports that they saw someone casting out demons in Jesus' names, but he wasn't part of the group. Jesus tells him not to worry about that because "Whoever is not against you is for you." This outlook opens the way for all kinds of ministry cooperation, even with those who don't share our views. It encourages us to look at others expecting to find common ground instead of being suspicious of people who aren't part of our group. Those are always words the church needs to hear.

God bless,
Sam


Luke 9:43-50
43And all were astounded at the greatness of God. While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples, 44“Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands.” 45But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was concealed from them, so that they could not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

46An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest. 47But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side, 48and said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest.” 49John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” 50But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him; for whoever is not against you is for you.”