Readings:
Ezekiel 2:8-3:4
Matthew 18:1-5, 10. 12-14
Reflection:
When we have the birth of a child into our family, it is always an exciting time working out what the child will be called…. Coming from a strong Anglo-Hibernian family, I was named Kevin because this name goes back into our family history.
In the first Reading today from the Old Testament, the Prophet Ezekiel has a specific name, meaning: May God strengthen! His name has a great bearing on the contents and thrust of his proclamation. Let’s have a brief look at this, and see its implications for us.
God invited Ezekiel to eat a scroll with the Word of God written on it, in full view of the people. It was not a lovely French Pastry scroll which we would find at Baker’s Delight! But that’s not the point! However, it tasted like sweet healing Honey. This was a symbolic action, indicating that if we are fed on God’s Word, and digest it, it will nourish our relationship with God and each other. It will influence the way that we see others, care for them, listen to them, rejoice with them, and forgive them.
The Gospel today builds on this theme, namely: Develop God’s nutritional Word within us; to recognize the ‘little ones of this world’ because they are precious. Have the Gospel insight within us, to get up and go looking for the one who may be lost, because everyone is ‘deeply loved and honored by our God’. Is 43:3,4
Kevin Walsh is a priest in the Diocese of Parramatta in Sydney. He has been formed in the Passionist tradition, and Ministers to the Aged, the Sick, the Dying and the Bereaved.