To Whom Do We Go?

August 12: Tuesday of Week 19 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

Ezekiel 2:8-3:4; Psalm 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 13; Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

Thoughts to help us surrender to Jesus expressing himself through us in ministry.

“Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” Matthew 18:1

After identifying children as the “greatest in the kingdom of heaven,” Jesus focused on those to whom the Father goes in search of. He speaks of   “the greatest,” “little ones” and “strays” in the same breath. Is there a connection?

To whom do we minister? Do we want to impress the “important” people? Do we share our thoughts, smiles, helping hands, our offers of support with our peers, those “above” us in riches, rank and power? Or with the “little people” who don’t count for much in society’s eyes?

  

How much time do we spend talking to children? Even our own?

How much of that time are we talking about Jesus? The Father? The Holy Spirit? Talking about them as persons we know. That we interact with and experience—that children can interact with and experience also?

Have you ever invited the janitor to Mass? Sat on a curb and read Scripture with a street person? Given a spiritual book to a highschool student? Said the rosary with someone in the hospital? Invited a college student to make the Cursillo? “Shared your testimony” in an evangelical church?

Have you ever asked your pastor what he prays about? Cries about? Or someone equally lonely?

For you, is the “greatest in the kingdom of heaven” the one who needs you most?

PRAY: “Lord, open my eyes.”

PRACTICE: Re-examine your pastoral priorities. Go to the needy.