Matthew 18:1-14
At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who, thinkest thou, is the greater in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus, calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them. And said: amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me. See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. What think you? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them should go astray: doth he not leave the ninety-nine in the mountains, and goeth to seek that which is gone astray? And if it so be that he find it: Amen I say to you, he rejoiceth more for that, than for the ninety-nine that went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father, who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Jesus places a child before His disciples and teaches that humility is essential in the Kingdom of Heaven. Greatness in God’s eyes is measured not by power or status but by simplicity, trust, and openness. The Gospel reminds us that every person is precious to God, especially the vulnerable and overlooked. We are called to treat others with respect, compassion, and care. By embracing humility and childlike faith, we become more receptive to God’s grace and more capable of reflecting His love in the world.