One such child

0:00

Today is Tuesday the 11th of August, the feast of Saint Clare, in the 19th week of Ordinary Time.

As you listen to today’s song, notice if anything stands out to you in the lyrics. Can you turn this into a short prayer?

Jon Guerra sings, ‘Who Is Greatest?’

Who is greatest in the kingdom?

The kingdom of heaven

Who would you say?

Not the rich and not the strong

Not the brilliant, but the small

Lowly ones will be made first

To inherit the universe

So become like children

And you will be the greatest

In the kingdom of heaven

So don't despise any small ones

I tell you, their prayers always reach God

Just like oak trees in a field

They’ll stand tall when all is healed

Lowly ones will be made first

To inherit the universe

So become like children

And you will be the greatest

In the kingdom of heaven

Don't be afraid

Don't be afraid

I’m with you 'til the end of the age

Lowly ones will be made first

To inherit the universe

So become like children

And you will be the greatest

In the kingdom of heaven

Who, then, is greatest in the kingdom?

The kingdom of heaven

Who would you say?

3:48

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, 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. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

‘Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.

‘What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.’

5:55

The disciples want to know who is greatest, and Jesus’ answer puts a child among them, measuring greatness not by status but by littleness. Clare of Assisi, whose feast falls today, fought her whole life to keep her sisters in that same littleness, insisting on what she called the privilege of poverty. What status, security or standing do you find yourself reluctant to let go of?

The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that has strayed and rejoices over it more than over all the rest. It is not the will of the Father that even one of these little ones should be lost. Can you recall a time when you knew yourself sought out like that, not because you had earned it, but simply because you had wandered?

Listen to the reading again, and let yourself be, this time, the child, or the one sheep who is searched for.

9:05

Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, 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. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

‘Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.

‘What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.’

11:02

Clare’s joyful littleness was fierce and determined. Is there a place in you that still wants the security of being counted great, or are you willing to let go and let your truest self be found instead?

13:03

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen