Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great

 

St. Ignatius of Antioch being devoured by lions in the Colosseum at Rome.  Menologion of Byzantine Emperor Basil II (r. 976–1025), illustrated manuscript, ca. 1000.  Vatican Library (Ms. Vat. gr. 1613)

 Now it happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met Him.  Suddenly a man from the multitude cried out, saying, "Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child.  And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and it departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him.  So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not."  Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you?  Bring your son here."  And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him.  Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father.

And they were all amazed at the majesty of God.  But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, "Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men."  But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.  

Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest.  And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, and said to them, "Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me.  For he who is least among you all will be great."  Now John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us."  But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side."

 

- Luke 9:37–50 

 

Yesterday we read that, about eight days after Jesus first warned the disciples about the events and struggles to come (see Monday's reading), that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.  As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.  And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.  But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.  Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles:  one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" -- not knowing what he said.  While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud.  And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son.  Hear Him!"  When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone.  But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.

 

  Now it happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met Him.  Suddenly a man from the multitude cried out, saying, "Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child.  And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and it departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him.  So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not."  Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you?  Bring your son here."  And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him.  Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father.  My study bible comments on this passage that while the disciples' faith was incomplete (see Matthew 17:19-20), Christ's rebuke (O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you?) is directed also to the crowds, whose faith was weaker still (see Mark 9:22-24). 

 

And they were all amazed at the majesty of God.  But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, "Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men."  But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying. This is the second warning that Jesus gives to the disciples about the betrayal and His suffering to come.  My study bible tells us that Christ's repeated prediction of His Passion was meant to encourage and strengthen His disciples for the terrifying events that they would face, and also to assure them that Christ was not powerless but went to the Cross willingly.

 Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest.  And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, and said to them, "Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me.  For he who is least among you all will be great."  Now John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us."  But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side."   Addressing the dispute as to which of them would be greatest, Jesus uses a little child to teach them about power, hierarchy, and humility.  The little child has the least stature, and yet if they receive one little child in His name, they will be receiving not only Christ, but also the Father who sent Him.   In Orthodox iconography, St. Ignatius of Antioch is depicted as this child.  In certain legends of saints, he is the boy who gave the loaves and fishes (John 6:9).  Regarding the dispute with the other who was casting out demons in Christ's name, Theophylact observes John's comment as regret:  his conscience was pricked by what Christ said about the least and the great.   But, on the other hand, St. Ambrose of Milan sees John as expecting full obedience to accompany such blessings.  My study bible comments that in either interpretation, Christ's response shows that those who act in good faith are not excluded, even if they are not currently numbered among the disciples.  Theophylact writes, "See how divine grace is at work even in those who are not His disciples."  See also Numbers 11:24-30.  On those who use Christ's name without good faith, see Luke 11:23, Acts 19:13-16.

Ignatius of Antioch was a first century bishop, who became a martyr.  There is dispute about the letters we have from him, but generally it is considered that the texts we have are at least based upon authentic communications of the saint, if possibly expanded from originals.  St. Ignatius called himself Theophoros, meaning one who bore God within himself.  (We contrast the title Theophoros with Theotokos, which refers to Mary the Mother of God, the one who literally bore or gave birth to Christ.)  A hallmark of his letters is a profound humility to the point of bearing all the ills and afflictions the world would impose for the sake of the love of Christ.  He uses the term "God's athlete" to describe himself, and as an image for other faithful, meaning one who might bear all kinds of pains and struggles for the sake of the great prize of ultimate faith in Christ, and the crown of martyrdom.  Indeed, the story of St. Ignatius is that he ultimately died in the Colosseum at Rome, being given to wild beasts for the entertainment of the crowds.  In the story of St. Ignatius we can read the ultimate outcome of the little boy who served as a model for Christ's teaching of humility among the twelve apostles.  His great desire was to give his life for Christ, to be -- as perhaps the adult who was that little boy -- one who truly became an example of the faith for all, who bore in himself and followed to the end the life of the One whom he called his bishop, Jesus Christ.  Indeed, he saw this as his mission, as he repeated in the letters that we have.  It is a kind of fullness of Christ's teaching regarding the least and the greatest that Ignatius grew to be the martyr that we know, the one who gave his life as an athlete or soldier for Christ, because it is an expression of the deep love which Christ first expressed to him as the little child in today's reading.   It seems to me quite possible, even likely, that St. Ignatius gave himself the name Theophoros ("God-Bearer") precisely in response to this statement of Jesus directing the apostles to see in the child Christ Himself and also the Father who sent Him.  There are all kinds of ways to be great in this world.  We commonly focus ourselves on our homes, our families, our jobs, our wealth, what we look like, and all these things by which success most often seems to be measured.  But let us consider today an entirely different mindset in the extraordinary humility of the St. Igantius, who sought to bear God in the world following the word of Christ whom he called his bishop.  St. Ignatius teaches us to be athletes and soldiers for Christ, entering an arena, and dedicating our whole lives with such passion to the One who loved us first, and taught us what it meant to be truly great.  His greatest honor was the crown -- the laurel wreath -- of martyrdom, giving his all in loyalty to Christ whom he served above all. 

 

 

Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me

Orthodox icon of St. Ignatius of Antioch, 17th century, Russia.  Now located in Patriarchate of Antioch, Damascus, Syria

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is 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 of 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 the 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 into 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 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 indicates a selfish interest in worldly power on the part of the disciples.  Perhaps they assume -- after Jesus has told them that on the third day after He is killed, He will be raised up -- that this means a worldly kingdom will be made manifest, with Jesus as king.  But Jesus uses the opportunity to teach them about the faith they will carry into the world, and the nature of authority and power.  He points to the little child as the model of true discipleship -- and gives a picture of the virtues required for entrance into the kingdom of heaven.   These qualities shown in the little child include dependence, humility, lowliness, simplicity, obedience, and a willingness to love and be loved, as my study bible indicates.  In traditional Orthodox icons of this incident, St. Ignatius of Antioch is shown as this child.  In some legends of the saints, he 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!  If your hand of 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."   Little ones, my study bible comments, include all who have childlike humility and simplicity, all those of whom it can be said they are poor in spirit.  As in the Sermon on the Mount (5:29), Jesus uses an illustration of amputation to show the importance of decisive action to put sin far away from us or to avoid it.  (There is no advocacy for literal amputation or mutilation here!)   Rather Jesus speaks of any temptation to abuse those who are easily exploited, manipulated, or pushed around.  My study bible says that this also refers to harmful relationships that must be severed for the salvation of all parties (see Luke 14:26; 1 Corinthians 5:5).  

If we think of amputation in Jesus' context, we must consider it in light of medical practices of the time.  A diseased limb or eye -- before penicillin or antibiotics existed -- having to be removed in order to prevent disease spreading was not a strange or unusual concept.  But certainly it was the final resort to prevent more of the body being diseased and ultimately death.  This is the context in which Jesus speaks about taking decisive action to prevent the spread of "illness."  And in this case, He's speaking of spiritual illness, or sin.  How we look on those we can exploit or push around, where our hand reaches out to grab what doesn't belong to us, or foot decides to trespass, are things we need to cast away from ourselves if they are going to cause offenses -- or, in Jesus' words, "cause one of these little ones to sin."   In yesterday's reading and commentary, we discussed St. Paul's concerns for the Church in the context of the society, and his recommendations for social conduct that in all ways would edify and protect the Church.  Here in today's reading, coming directly after His stated desire to refuse to give offense to the local community by paying the temple tax, although not actually warranted because of His identity as Christ, Jesus does the same.  He is laying out prescribed behavior for those who will become the leaders of His Church -- and what they must do to above all protect the flock, to avoid giving cause for scandal and thus causing sin in the "little ones," those who will rely on them for guidance and direction.  Above all, Jesus' eye is on these little ones, and not those who would be greatest in the Church.  This is because for those who would be great, their job is to care for the little ones, to nurture and build up the flock.  This is precisely St. Paul's perspective as well, although his advice to the church at Corinth involved social conduct in differing dimensions.  But both Christ and St. Paul find common ground in seeking to protect and build up the Church, avoiding unnecessary scandal as stumbling block.  If we put this in the perspective of today, we can surely see problems of treatment of "little ones" in straying hands where they don't belong, scandals of abuse or possibly of financial misuse, anything that would give scandal to the simple and humble and cause them to stray.  The important thing that we keep in mind in terms of Christ's leadership is a clear call for putting aside selfish desires in order to serve the community.  His disciples, the bishops or pillars of the Church on whose shoulders everything else would fall, are those who must see in the littlest ones the image of Christ Himself.  Think about what a stark warning that really is, to these men who knew and lived with Christ and called Him "Lord" to His face.  In today's world there are plenty of scandals around the world, violence and power that seem out of control, and unfortunately no shortage of scandals in the Church (excluding no denomination).  Particularly at this time people need Christ as Savior.  There are so many ways to lose one's way due to influences all around, including deliberate stoking up of anger or panic and fear.  Let us consider for ourselves, then, how much more important Christ's words are today than ever, in order to protect the flock, to bring Christ's words to all, and especially to protect the faith of the littlest ones.  We might all serve as leaders if we but remember this one most important thing about how to use our power or agency -- such as it is -- to build Christ's saving word in the world that so sorely needs it.   The icon above is a rendering of St. Ignatius of Antioch.  It shows his martyrdom in the arena, as a Christian bishop of Antioch, who was eaten by lions in the arena at Rome.  It was in his city, Antioch, Syria, where those who followed Jesus were first called Christians.  Let us think about the nurturing in love and care of such a "little one," who could grow to become so bold in strength to give his life for his faith and the ones whom Christ loved.

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?