First Reading - Ezekiel 2:8-3:4
Gospel - Matthew 18:1-5,10,12-14
In the first reading, God calls Ezekiel to a challenging prophetic mission, instructing him to eat a scroll filled with words of lamentation, mourning, and woe. This act symbolizes the difficult message Ezekiel must deliver to Israel. Despite the bitter content, the scroll tastes as sweet as honey, showing that even when God's words are tough, they are ultimately good and life-giving. This reading invites us to reflect on how we receive and internalize God's word, especially when it challenges us. Are we open to accepting God’s message in its entirety, and can we find sweetness in God's truth, knowing it leads to our ultimate good?
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches His disciples about the importance of humility and childlike faith. When asked who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus presents a child as an example, emphasizing that unless they become like children, they will not enter the kingdom. He highlights the value of humility, innocence, and trust, qualities children naturally possess. Jesus also speaks about the care and protection of the "little ones," warning against causing them to stumble. He shares the parable of the lost sheep to express God's relentless love for those who are lost and His desire to bring them back. This passage highlights God’s deep concern for the vulnerable and the humble, and His willingness to seek out and save those who have strayed.
Dear friends, the readings together emphasize the need for humility, openness, and deep trust in God’s word. Just as Ezekiel is called to internalize God's challenging words and faithfully deliver them, we too are called to receive God's message with open hearts, even when it is difficult. In the Gospel, Jesus underscores the importance of humility by pointing to a child as an example. A child’s openness and trust are models for how we should trust in God. Additionally, the emphasis on caring for the "little ones" teaches us the value of protecting and nurturing those who are vulnerable, whether they are children or those who are spiritually lost.
These readings challenge us to embrace humility, trust in God's word, and care for the vulnerable among us. We are reminded that greatness in God's eyes is not about power or status but about having a heart that is humble, open, and willing to serve others. As we reflect on these readings, we can ask ourselves how we receive and internalize God's word, whether we possess the childlike humility and trust that Jesus speaks about, and how we can better care for and protect the "little ones" in our lives. May God help us to be open to His word, humble in spirit, and compassionate in our actions, so that we can live out the call to true discipleship.
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