Whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven

 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"  Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. 

"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.  Woe to the world because of offenses!  For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!  If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you.  It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.  And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you.  It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire."

- Matthew 18:1-9

Yesterday we read that while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to disciples, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up."  And they were exceedingly sorrowful.  When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, "Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?"  He said, "Yes."  And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon?  From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?"  Peter said to Him, "From strangers."  Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free.  Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first.  And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you."

 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"  Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me."  My study bible tells us that this question from the disciples indicates a selfish interest in worldly power.  Perhaps as Jesus has just warned them for a second time of what is to come, they presume that when He is raised up on the third day it will mean an immediate manifestation of the expected kingdom of the Messiah.  They therefore ask about positions in the kingdom.  But Jesus points to a little child as the model of true discipleship, and emphasizes the virtues that are required for entrance into the kingdom of heaven, which my study bible names as humility, dependence, lowliness, simplicity, obedience, and a willingness to love and be loved.  In icons, St. Ignatius of Antioch is depicted as this child.  In certain legends of saints,  St. Ignatius is the boy who gave the loaves and fishes (John 6:9). 

"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses!  For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!"  Little ones, my study bible says, include all who have childlike humility and simplicity, all who are poor in spirit.   These men will have positions of greatness in the Kingdom, but they must understand that their way will be to love those who come into the Church, the little ones in their care.

"If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you.  It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.  And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you.  It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire."   As in yesterday's reading with references to images of faith, we find a repetition here in Matthew's Gospel.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus previously made reference to images of mutilation as preferable to the loss of one's entire life (5:29-30).   That was in the context of teaching on adultery.  These images are an illustration of taking decisive action in order to avoid sin.  They are metaphors for the difficulties with which we may part with our own proclivities and selfish impulses in order to serve a higher purpose and meet God's way of being in the world.  My study bible says that it also refers to harmful relationships that must be severed for the salvation of all parties (Luke 14:26; 1 Corinthians 5:5). 

What could it mean to cut off and discard a hand, or an eye, or a foot?   Jesus is directing the disciples toward the selflessness that will be required of them as custodians and pillars of His Church.  He's teaching them what kind of leadership will be required of them for positions in this Kingdom.  They've got a worldly model in mind, of the many kingdoms that populated the world at the time of Christ.  But His kingdom isn't to be like one of those, and the leadership required for His kingdom must be different.   If they wish to be great in His kingdom they must first consider the little ones in their care, the ones He entrusts to them.  The little ones come first, and any harm to a little one will result in the greatest loss and condemnation for those in leadership.  A hand seeks to take what doesn't belong to it, to grab something because it is there.  A hand can also cast abuse and commit violence against the less powerful.  An eye is covetous; it may seek to take what doesn't rightfully belong to it.  So much depends on how we look at things and at people.  Jesus encourages His disciples to love and care for the littlest ones who will be in their charge.  A foot can abuse and kick.  It can walk where it doesn't belong, it can overstep proper boundaries.  All of these abuses He alludes to with metaphors of mutilation are abuses of power with which we're all familiar.  They are the ways that the powerful and those in authority may exploit and abuse those with less power and particularly the littlest ones, the least powerful.  Jesus gives us a different model of leadership.  As disciples, all of our impulses come into question.  Even things we've never questioned before must be cast off in an effort to build true leadership and appropriate care in His kingdom.  It is the littlest ones that must come first.  These are the ones who will come to the Church looking for leadership and guidance, and the disciples must be prepared to give proper leadership and guidance as Christ has given as example, and which He will teach in His final command:  "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35).  He teaches us what love is in leadership, but first of all teaching about what is most necessary.  The little ones, in fact, become the model for humility.  How do we measure up?  Which parts of ourselves are we willing to discard for His vision of leadership and greatness?