Readings: Ezekiel 2:8-3:4, Ps.119, Matt. 18:1-5.10.12-14
Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
BE HUMBLE LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN AND YOU WILL FIND TRUE GREATNESS
Human life and activities are always competitive and comparative, which is why we are often anxious to recognize or be recognized as the strongest, wisest, cleverest, and richest. We will always want to know the most beautiful, handsome, most talented and greatest in virtually everything. Little wonder, the most lucrative businesses and adventures are found among those activities that are competitive, such as sports, entertainment and politics, because greatness gives more ego to our status.
This competitive and comparative way of life is what the disciples of Jesus displayed in our Gospel passage today when they asked Jesus, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? For they were curious to know which one of them. But Jesus showed them the way to identify greatness and one who has such quality by offering them two strong images: that of the humble child and a dependent sheep.
Here, Jesus surprised his disciples by linking true greatness to the humility and simplicity of little children and also showed how children can be the subject of a parable that reveals the vanity and deception found in some great persons. Because children are docile, humble, teachable, loving, forgiven and dependent.
Thus, Jesus explains that in the kingdom of heaven, true greatness is found in humility, and children serve as a symbol of humility as they are dependent on adults for everything, just as we also are dependent on God. Little children serve as concrete symbols of simplicity, which is a condition for entering the kingdom of heaven. So, in children, we found these great virtues of simplicity and humility. Hence, parents should encourage their children to participate in activities where they display these virtues.
Meanwhile, in the parable about the lost sheep, Jesus presents to us the images of a dependent sheep and a caring and loving shepherd who searches for the wandering sheep. He invites us to embrace true greatness in humble service to others, especially the weak and the vulnerable, as we imitate God, who never abandons anyone, even the lost “sinners”.
This is exactly what prophet Ezekiel demonstrated to his people who were lost as they rebelled against God and needed to be brought back to God as we have it in our first reading today, where the Lord made him great by offering him the scroll to eat and then said Son of man, go to the House of Israel and tell them what I have said.’
Dear friends, let us learn to be humble like little children even in the midst of our competitive and comparative nature and we will find true greatness. For today we are reminded that true greatness is found in humility and humble service to others. But this is exactly what many of us are lacking. Because most of us are so proud, greedy and selfish, as we are deeply attached to the pleasurable things of this passing world.
This, of course, prevents us from seeking true greatness that leads to the heavenly kingdom. And as a result, many of us are lost sheep, but Jesus the good Shepherd is searching for us and guiding us on the path towards reconciliation and redemption so that we may find the path towards the salvation God has offered to all humanity.
LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, we are lost, for we are so much engrossed with the competitive activities of this world, seeking to be great in things that are passing away, grant that, we may embrace true greatness rooted in the humble service of our neighbours, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.
