Gospel: Matthew 18: 1-5, 10, 12-14
"Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Always it is this way with us human beings. We want power rankings. We want to know who is the best. We ask this question because we silently think it is ourselves. After all, we're following Jesus. We call ourselves Christian. We even dub ourselves as faithful Christians to distinguish ourselves from those we think are not. Always we are about comparing ourselves to others. Vanity of vanities...
So, in response to this question, Jesus puts before everyone a child - the most innocent, docile, helpless, and vulnerable among us. We are utterly shocked. It's not us. What is more, it is completely beyond our expectations and understanding. Then, we recover ourselves. Jesus tells us to protect and care for these least ones. Of course! Who would think to harm a child? Who would condone such atrocities against children in our world? Who indeed...
As we look at the starving, maimed children of Gaza...As we stare at the pictures of young girls trafficked for sex by billionaires and political leaders...As we read the long lists of children abused by clergy...As we listen to the many justifications of these actions, the support for the politicians who carry it all out, the lame apologetics to defend the indefensible in our religious institutions. And we dare ask the Lord, who is greatest in God's kingdom, we dare to think it might be us.
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