Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
1[One time,] the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2He called a child over, placed it in their midst, 3and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.
10“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. 12What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? 13And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. 14In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”
Reflection:
Who is the greatest? While we concern ourselves with superlatives—greatest, fastest, strongest, most beautiful, most influential, richest—Jesus has different standards. He seeks and celebrates the humblest, the kindest, the most forgiving, and the most patient.
I remember these were the awards our grade school teacher gave us—the most helpful, the most respectful, and the most industrious. We felt so proud when the paper medals were pasted before our names on the blackboard. The competition was always with our selves, not against somebody else.
I miss those kinds of awards!
Award your kids for being respectful and cheerful at home.