Humble Like This Child

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
“If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes!
“If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell of fire.” Matthew 18:1-9

Humble Like This Child

Dear Creator who cares for every one
you placed tender creation in our care
we have been selfish and greedy
we have squandered life's precious gifts.

In our blindness we have taken children
put them in boarding schools far from home
separated children at the border from parents
destroying hope and faith in the young ones.

We have been stopped in our tracks by a virus
yet we continue to judge others so harshly
we stand on our rights and our freedoms
as we let other peoples' children perish.

Creator, help us be humble like children
let us put aside all that grieves your heart
let us be stepping stones  not stumbling blocks
make our lives a witness to your love. Amen