Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

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."

Reflection

What do children have that we lose?

Imagination, enthusiasm during a time in their life where they are open as fully as they can be to everything that's coming their way. That's the humility that Jesus is asking His followers to have and to believe in something as beautiful and as simple as the idea that there are spiritual beings all around us that are looking out for us, that are sending us messages, answers to our prayers, protecting us from harm.

Children would just take to that so easily and adults not so much.

Closing Prayer

Father, as adults, we often ask how something can happen. We want a nice, neat explanation so we can believe it. Awaken our imaginations, the imaginations of a child so that we can be open to the mysterious things that you have planned for us that are beyond understanding, but can only be understood with a heart. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.