Reflection for Thursday October 2 Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels: Matthew 18:1-5, 10

Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10

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. 

Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. 

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

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Reflection:

Were the disciples expecting Jesus to tell them that they were the greatest in the kingdom of heaven because they followed Him? From all indications, this question—“Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”—was asked to serve their selfish desires. Jesus, however, knew what was in their hearts.

 Therefore, to straighten things out and to teach the disciples that self-seeking individuals would not be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus told them: “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3–4).

 The kingdom of heaven is reserved only for the humble. We cannot reach heaven by our own effort, nor can we enter without the mercy of God. Children remind us of this truth: they are perfect models of humility and perfect examples of dependence. Could children survive on their own? No, they cannot. They need their parents’ presence, guidance, and care.

 In the same way, we cannot rely on ourselves. We must rely on God, just as children rely on their parents. This was perhaps one of the most important lessons Jesus wanted to impart when He called a child into their midst (Matthew 18:2).

 This truth also speaks to us today. We cannot rely on our riches, if ever we have them, no matter how abundant they may seem. We cannot depend on our power either, no matter how powerrful we think we are. For wealth and power are fleeting creations of this world—they can vanish from our hands at any time.

 So, to whom must we entrust our lives? We must rely on God alone. For in Him we find the strength to endure, the mercy to be forgiven, and the love that leads us home to His kingdom.

 Do we live each day with the humility of a child, depending on God for everything? Or are we still holding on to the false securities of wealth, power, and self-sufficiency? —Marino J. Dasmarinas