Oct 2 2020 Reflection
Friday 2 October 2020
First Reading: JB 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5
Responsorial Psalm:
Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
PS 139:1-3, 7-8, 9-10, 13-14AB
Gospel Reading: MT 18:1-5, 10
Today’s Note: Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels
Gospel Reading:
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:
Their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. (Matthew 18:10)
Jesus always had a soft spot for children—and they loved him as well. While his disciples thought he was too busy to bother with a group of children, Jesus welcomed them (Matthew 19:14). He praised them and instructed the adults to become like them (18:3). “Whoever humbles himself like this child,” he said, “is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven” (18:4). It wasn’t their immaturity that he loved; it was their humble dependence.
But aren’t adults supposed to become independent as they mature? Yes, of course! But at every age, we are also meant to be dependent on God, as dependent as a child is upon his parents. In fact, we are much more dependent on God than we often think we are—we depend on him for our every breath. That’s one reason why God gives us guardian angels, to help us remember our dependence on our heavenly Father.
It’s easy to think that we don’t need God much, especially when things are going well. If we are blessed with good health, a happy family, and basic comforts, we can get lulled into self-reliance and not give God much attention. Sometimes the more blessings we receive, the more we forget our need for God. Even if our circumstances change, our first reaction may be to try to rely on our own resources.
And yet God has so much to give us! When we forget to bring our needs to him, we are like people living on a subsistent diet when we could be enjoying a feast. Every day he wants to give us his grace, his strength, his wisdom, and his protection.
Today, whether you feel strong or needy, know that you are God’s beloved child. He wants you to lean on him so that he can bless you. He has even provided you with your own special angel to help and guide you!
“Lord, I need you. Help me to remember how much you want to give me each day.”
