zebra longwing september 2005

 

September 26, 2005

Lk 9:46-50 Receive the little ones in the name of the Lord.

An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.”

Then John said in reply, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company.” Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

The little ones, the children are to be accepted in the name of the Lord. No one is to turn them away. The one who is the least is the greatest. The Lord also teaches the disciples to not stop anyone from performing good acts. That if they are not against you, they are for you. The reading is about acting in love and following the ways of Jesus in the treatment of others. A life without love and acts of love is empty and meaningless.

The reading from the Gospel yesterday taught the importance of action over words. The one son said he would work in the vineyard then did not. The other son said he would not work in the vineyard but had a change of heart and later did. God is asking for us to work in the vineyard. Words are meaningless without the acts of love.