Moses tells the people in the first reading today, not to be afraid to cross the Jordan and go to their new home, the promised land. Yes, there is already a nation of people living in that land and He knows it is intimidating to them, but they are not to be afraid of going to their new home. God himself will be with the people and deliver the residents of this land into their hands. They shall occupy the promised land and the people are to go forward with confidence and trust in God for He is with them. He will never forsake them. Unlike their ancestors they are to not be afraid and to trust that God will do what He said He would do. If you remember, the Israelites doubted God would help them defeat these same people forty years earlier and that is why God punished them and made them wander in the wilderness for forty years. It is time for the Israelites to trust Him and face the people in the promised land even if it seems like impossible odds. Nothing is impossible with God by their side.
In today’s gospel, the disciples asked Jesus “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus told them “unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Children are naturally simple and trusting. Adults sometimes become afraid like the Israelites in the first reading today. We know that bad things can happen, just like the Israelite people thought that bad things could happen if they tried to conquer the Canaanites. They trusted in themselves and their own abilities and knew their limitations. The trouble is that they did not trust God, because he is able help us beyond our human limitations.
Jesus goes on to say “whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” And this is a problem with many modern couples. Children are so expensive that many newly wed couples feel like they can not afford to raise a big family. Maybe they don’t have a high paying job, and know that their training and education may never enable them to obtain a career that will pay them a lot of money to support very many children. Throughout the gospels though, Jesus stresses that people are what is important, not money. A family is a treasure that no amount of money can buy, but when you are young it does not seem that way. As a young couple it may seem that children cost a lot of time, money and effort and they may want to enjoy life a little bit too, so they may compromise and have a small family. The short term gain in money and free time though, can mean your later years are a great deal lonelier. It is just something to consider, to look at the bigger picture of marriage and family. Our Catholic faith teaches that married couples should be open to new life for a reason and it isn’t to make life harder, but richer in the long run. Young couples should trust in the Lord to provide for the needs of their family. Most families (in America) do not go without the basic necessities of life and God does provide for their needs.
Jesus also says to “Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones” and that is something to consider as well. If a person really does not want to have children, they should be upfront and honest about it with the person they want to marry. It is far better to be honest about not wanting to have children from the beginning than to disclose it on down the road.
Adults will sometimes vent their resentment or irritability on their children. When Jesus said, “take care that you do not despise one of these little ones” he may have been talking about not venting our irritability on our children or view them as a burden. God has His angels watching over them continually and they are precious in His sight.
The Lord goes on to tell us about the shepherd who has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, that he will leave the ninety nine sheep behind and go look for the stray. And the gospel ends with “So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.” This is something to really think about. A few sentences earlier, Jesus said to not despise the little ones and it may be because when a parent shows a child a lot of negativity, the child might start rebelling and could end up having a lot of problems later. Troubled teens sometimes have a parent that does not treat them with kindness and respect, or do not show them enough love and affection. If these children grow up and have problems, Jesus will pursue them and bring them back though because God does not want to lose a single soul. It is not His will that they be lost and not make it to heaven one day. So much of the troubles teenagers and young adults go through could be greatly reduced if parents do not vent their irritability on their children. However, parents are also just human. We all have pressures and stresses in life and can not be perfect parents. It is important that children know that they are loved though.
If we have children, or we are around children today, maybe we could overlook some of the minor irritations they cause. Spilled milk or a messy room isn’t the end of the world. What is more important in the long run? A spotlessly clean room or a child that knows they are loved? If we don’t have small children right now, perhaps we could show a little patience around children who act up in public? Children need to know they are valued, loved and respected. Isn’t that what we all need? To be valued, loved and respected too?
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Dear Jesus,
We give you thanks and praise for instituting the human family to multiply and fill the earth, making husband and wife your cooperators. Bless all families and keep them in one heart and mind. May they take as their model the holy family of Nazareth in which the child Jesus was obedient. Mary and Joseph were ever devoted to their daily tasks. They prayed together and stayed together as a family. Keep all families close to you and to one another as they journey through their daily lives together. We ask this in your name.
Amen.
