Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me

Christ and St. Ignatius, detail of fresco, 1321-22.  Gračanica Serbian Orthodox Monastery, Kosovo

 Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it.  For He taught His disciples and said to them, "The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him.  And after He is killed, He will rise the third day."  But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.

Then He came to Capernaum.  And when He was in the house He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?"  But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.  And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."  Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them.  And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, "Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me."

Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us."  But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.  For he who is not against us is on our side.  For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."

- Mark 9:30-41

On Saturday we read that, coming down from the Mount of Transfiguration with James, John, and Peter, when He came to the disciples in the town, Jesus saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them.  Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him.  And he asked the scribes, "What are you discussing with them?"  Then one of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit.  And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid.  So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not."  He answered him and said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you?  How long shall I bear with you?  Bring him to Me."  Then they brought him to Him.  And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.  So He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him"  And he said, "From childhood.  And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him.  But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."  Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."  Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"  When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it:  "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!"  Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him.  And he became as one dead, so that many said, "He is dead."  But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.  And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?"  So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting."

 Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it.  For He taught His disciples and said to them, "The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him.  And after He is killed, He will rise the third day."  But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.  This is the second time that Jesus has predicted His death and Resurrection to the disciples (see 8:31).  My study bible comments that by doing so, Jesus shows He is going to His Passion freely, and not being taken against His will.   Let us also note carefully the bewilderment of the disciples.  They did not understand, but also they were afraid to ask Him.

Then He came to Capernaum.  And when He was in the house He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?"  But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.  And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."  Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them.  And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, "Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me."  Clearly Jesus' teaching that He will rise on the third day (above) has given ideas to the disciples about the imminent manifestation of the Kingdom as a worldly kingdom, fitting the popular expectations about the Messiah.  So, they have been disputing among themselves which one would be the greatest in that material, earthly kingdom they imagine is coming.  This is a disappointing response to Jesus' warning of His suffering that is to come.  Jesus uses this as an opportunity to teach the essential nature of what constitutes greatness within His Kingdom and His community of the Church:  humility and service.  My study bible says that pointing to a little child as the model of true discipleship, Jesus emphasizes the virtues required for entrance into the kingdom of heaven:  humility, dependence, lowliness, simplicity, obedience, and a willingness to love and to be loved.  Frequently, St. Ignatius of Antioch is depicted in icons as this child.  In various legends of saints, he is the boy who gave the loaves and fishes in John 6:9.  Jesus' teaching emphasizes the power of the communion of the Church, as He speaks of receiving one of these little children in My name -- and connecting that child not only to Himself, but also to the Father who sent Him.

Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us."  But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.  For he who is not against us is on our side.  For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."  My study bible comments here that Theophylact sees John's comment as regret, in response to his conscience having been pricked by what Christ has just taught about the first and the last.  But St. Ambrose offers a different understanding, that John expects full obedience to accompany the blessings of ministering in Christ's name.  Either way, my study bible comments, Christ's response shows those acting in good faith are not excluded, even if they are not contemporaneously numbered among the disciples.  Theophan 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 the name of Christ without good faith, see Luke 11:23, Acts 19:13-16.   The final verse emphasizes the teaching about receiving the little child.  These disciples, also, upon being received by others, convey a blessing upon them for their good will, because they belong to Christ.

Today's readings emphasize the communion of Christ, the link between all those who live, act, work, and minister in His name.  Jesus' teachings, while most clearly about the need for humility and service, emphasize also our communion, the special link that exists between all those who work or act bearing the name or image of Christ.  Let us first of all be clear on an understanding of "the name" especially in times when the authority of emperors or kings was well-understood in a certain respect.  All those things that bore the name of the king or his house (or family) bore the presence of that king or that emperor.  To deface a public work depicting the monarch was to insult and do damage to the monarch, and great penalties could result.  The name of the monarch also bore the same presence:  the signature of such a person was full representation of that person, whether the monarch was physically present or not.  (This is linked to present-day protocols of respect regarding the flag of a country, for it stands for and represents the country itself.)  So it is here in a similar sense with Jesus' name.  All those who belong to Christ convey Christ Himself into the world.  So much so, that even should we receive a little child in His name, we must understand that we receive Him, but also moreover, even the Father who sent Him.  That is as great a personage as is possible indeed.  The power of God lies in all things having to do truly with the name of Jesus.  Therefore in Jesus' teaching today we not only understand that to receive even a little child in His name is to receive Christ, and even to receive the Father who sent Him, but also the receiving of anyone bearing Christ's name conveys a blessing on the receiver, even one who so much as offers a cup of water.  What Jesus is saying, therefore, we can conclude, teaches us that each good thing we do for one another within the body of Christ, within this communion, includes Christ Himself -- and therefore it is as if we have served Christ Himself and will receive the proper reward for doing so.  These powerful words and concepts convey to us the strength that lies in true ministry, because they give us a sense of the divine power of holiness -- unseen by so many, and yet at work in our world and in what we do in our lives.  There is no telling how truly powerful a good work can be, a kind word or gesture, even the smallest thing we give of ourselves.  Moreover, that gesture need not be to one who has a powerful profile or position in this world, for even to receive a little child in His name is as if we receive Him, as if we receive even the Father who sent Him.  The power in this communion is great indeed.  If we understood the power of holiness that is at work even in this world, how much more seriously would we take these maxims of our faith, these teachings of Christ?  How much more solemnly would we accept the need to be conscious of the ways in which we treat one another, or the ways in which we might so easily dismiss one another?  How much more would we cherish our capacity to do even the smallest good for another, or commit the smallest act of charity?  This understanding of these teachings of Christ refines, hones, and gives body to our understanding of grace.  It gives shape to a consciousness of blessing and what that means, and how blessings are conveyed.  If each of us has the power to convey such blessings through our faith in Christ, through our choices in His name, then that indeed makes the power of His communion all the more great.  Let us be aware of our choices -- both those we make, and those we fail to make, and what we lose by not understanding the power of His name.

O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you?

 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 Peter's confession that Jesus is the Christ,  Jesus 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.  Jesus gives a rebuke to both the disciples and the crowds ("O faithless and perverse generation"), reflecting this point in His ministry and the response of the people to Him here.  While the disciples' faith was incomplete (Matthew 17:19-20), my study bible notes that Christ's rebuke is 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.  Even as all are amazed at the majesty of God, Jesus takes the opportunity to remind the disciples of His Passion which He has already told them about.  My study bible says that His repeated prediction of His Passion was meant to encourage and strengthen the disciples for the terrifying events they would face, and to assure them that He was not powerless (and they have just seen a demonstration of His power), but went to the Cross willingly.  Here He adds a new detail, that He will be betrayed into the hands of men.

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."  Here we may possibly speculate that the disciples surmise Jesus' Kingdom may be manifesting shortly, given His prediction of confrontation.  Their immediate thoughts are to worldly power and personal position.  In contrast to a selfish interest, Christ points to a little child as the model of discipleship.  My study bible says that the virtues embodied in a little child for discipleship in His Kingdom are humility, dependence, lowliness, simplicity, obedience, and a willingness to love and be loved.  In the tradition of the Church, St. Ignatius of Antioch is depicted as this child in icons. 

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."  Theophylact sees John's comment as a regret, emphasizing the effects of his conscience in response to Jesus' correction about who is least and who is great, above.  But St. Ambrose comments that John expects full obedience to accompany such blessings.  In either interpretation, says my study bible, Christ's response shows that those acting 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."  But we note also that it is faith that makes the connection and does the true work of discipleship.  John's comment indicates that the others were acting in Jesus' name.  Jesus will also say, "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters" (11:23).

Faith is the theme in today's reading.  We start with Jesus' declaration when His disciples had trouble healing a young boy:  "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you?"  This message is directed both at His disciples and at the crowd; it is the lack of faith in both that creates the difficulty and impacts on the efficacy of the healing.  We note that the levels of faith vary; the disciples lack a certain degree of faith in Christ for this, the crowds have a greater deficit.  But it is faith that somehow makes the connection for the works of grace in the world to manifest.   In this we can take confidence, as Christ's words teach us that it is so, and we have read of so many accounts in which Christ attributes healing -- spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical -- to faith.   See, for example, this reading and this one.  In both of those readings, faith not only creates healing and gives peace, but in fact creates right-relationship and restoration to community.  It touches on all things, on everyone.  There is a different kind of faith demanded in the verses that follow the story of the healing of the boy.  The disciples must hear and accept the word of Jesus' prophecy of His death, His betrayal.  They can't take it in.  To do so requires a great acceptance of extreme contradiction from a human point of view.  How can the Christ, invested with so much power, be betrayed into the hands of men?  They fear even to ask Him about this thing they can't understand.  The paradox is just too great.  They dispute over which of them will hold the highest position in Christ's Kingdom, and Jesus has something new to teach them, contradictory to human systems of position and greatness.  They must be like little children; and he who is least among them will be great.  They are to see Christ Himself even in a small child who comes to them.  It demands faith to accept such things, because faith is required to accept ways of thinking that so contradict what we know from our worldly lives.  How is it possible that the least is the greatest?  And then there is the faith that must teach us about the nature of faith itself.  Those who are not among these disciples, but who have faith in the name of Christ are also on their side.  In short, faith asks us to stretch ourselves, to include new concepts and ideas that we otherwise would not have considered.  Faith asks us to stretch our minds, and to incorporate things which are contradictory to what we know, that bring us into paradox -- into things that seemingly cannot exist at the same time.  But in Christ, all things come together, all things intersect.  When we follow Him, we are invited to understand life as mystery and deepening levels of what we are taught to expect and to accept.  This is the journey of faith, and it is evident through all of the story of the Bible.  In our own lives, we will find faith tested all the time, and challenged in our assumptions and knowledge of the world through our experience.  But faith asks of us to expand and to grow and to find new expectations, even of ourselves and our capacity for acceptance and endurance.  We're asked for faith before we know the outcome of that faith.  We're asked to trust Him.  In this we must persist with courage.