- First Reading: Ezek 2:8–3:4
- Responsorial Psalm: Ps 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131
- Gospel: Matt 18:1–5, 10, 12–14
When the Lord tells us that we need to be like these children, many images may come to mind, often shaped by our own experiences of children. But I think his point is demonstrated in the scene itself. He calls out to the little child and says, “Come here,” and the child actually does it. In his innocence and his trust in the Lord, he walks into the midst of all these strangers—what should be a very intimidating scene.
Imagine if we were there as adults and, in the midst of this crowd, the Lord said, “Come over here.” We might look at him and ask, “Why? What about all these people?” Or perhaps even worse—and probably more accurately—“What am I going to get out of it if I do?” We would look for reasons not to go. We would want to understand everything, think about it, and perhaps make a different decision rather than simply listen to the Lord.
The Lord is never going to call us into a situation that is to our own harm and detriment. He is always going to call us somewhere good. And yet, when he reaches out and calls, how often do we say, “I don’t know about that. Let me have some time to think about what you’re asking of me”? But the child simply goes.
I think that is what the Lord is calling us to be like if we are truly to be citizens of the kingdom of heaven. When he reaches out and calls us—whether to a particular task for the day or to what we are to dedicate our whole lives—we are not meant to delay while we ponder, “Is this the choice I want to make?” We are to recognize that it is the Lord who has called us, get up, and go. He is always calling us somewhere good; there is nothing truly to think about.
That does not mean going in blind. It means going forward with complete and total trust in the one who calls us, because he is trustworthy.
So it is good for us to look at our lives and ask: when the Lord prompts us, do we try to negotiate with him? Do we suggest that perhaps there are other possibilities? “Lord, have you considered these?” We know that he has, and this is where he has called us.
His call is always in our best interest and in the best interest of all people in their salvation. When he calls us, then, like this little child, we are to get up, go to him, and follow wherever he may lead us.