Tuesday
of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Deuteronomy
31:1-8; Matthew 18:1-5.10.12-14)
Social
theorists claim that childhood is a relatively recent phenomenon. Only in the nineteenth and twentieth
centuries were children guaranteed an education and provided time to grow up. Before that most boys were doing manual work
as soon as their bodies could bear it. Girls
were drafted into the kitchen to do domestic chores. In today’s gospel Jesus speaks up in favor of
society’s little ones.
Recognizing
virtue in children’s docility, Jesus recommends this quality to his disciples.
More than that, he identifies children with himself as he says, “…whoever
receives one child such as this in my name receives me.” Jesus did not initiate a pro-children
campaign, but he was certainly consciousness about how children need disciples’
consideration and care.
The last
fifty years has witnessed a deterioration of childhood. Kids still go to school, of course, but they
are often exposed there to social controversies beyond their stage of
development. Cell phones and the Internet have magnified the damage. We should take to heart Jesus’ warning not to
despise any of the “little ones.” All
enjoy God’s favor and require our support.
