The disciples approached Jesus and said,
“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?”
He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,
“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 18:1-3)
Who wants to be weak?
Who wants to be dependent?
Who wants to be powerless?
That is what Jesus was telling His followers they needed to be.
After all, children, in the Lord’s day, were relatively inconsequential people. They were weak and dependent and powerless.
Jesus’ disciples wanted to be strong, independent, and powerful. They wanted to be leaders. They were tired of being dependent upon all the forces around them making choices for them.
Jesus knew, though, that unless a person becomes dependent like a child, that person will never understand his or her relationship with God. That person will never be dependent upon God. That person will never welcome God’s power to take care of him or her.
God is God. He is the one who is powerful. He is the one who is independent. He is the one who is strong.
We just need to be His dependent children. If we are, He will take care of us.
FAITH ACTION: Pray the Prayer to Live as a Child of God:
Father in Heaven,
when the Spirit came down upon Jesus
at His Baptism in the Jordan,
You revealed Him as Your own Beloved Son.
Keep me, Your child,
born of water and the Spirit,
faithful to my calling.
May I, who share in Your Life
as Your child through Baptism,
follow in Christ’s path of service to people.
Let me become one in His Sacrifice
and hear His Word with faith.
May I live as Your child,
following the example of Jesus.