Readings:
Ezra: 2: 8-3:4
Matthew 18: 1-5, 10, 12-14
Reflection:
Have you ever felt that sometimes God makes unusual requests? Eating a scroll must be fairly high up the list of those unusual requests! I think the symbolism is strong in that I believe it means we need to consume the Word and digest it before we put words on it. Ezekiel was being asked to take in his people’s suffering and respond as from God. If we took this seriously there may be fewer empty words spoken perhaps especially to people who are suffering when presence and action is more helpful! We have to live what we speak if it is to have meaning.
In the Gospel Jesus uses the beautiful image of the child to show the qualities that we need to grow into to live in the kingdom. A child is playful, humble, innocent and trusting but Jesus is also showing the child as the greatest. This turns things upside down for his listeners and changes expectations. Children are gift to family and community though sadly not always welcomed or treated with respect. Today let us be mindful of children in our families and also of those children in so many places around the world who are neglected, undernourished and especially those who are victims of violence, trafficking or war.
St Clare of Assisi whose feast we celebrate today struggled against her father to choose the religious life. May she intercede for children and young people forced on paths that do not lead to life.
Sr. Brigid Murphy CP, Sisters of the Cross & Passion, Melbourne