Biographical Information about St. Maximilian Kolbe[1]
Reading for the Memorial of Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Dt 31:1-8
In this passage from Deuteronomy, Moses passes the leadership of the Children of Israel to Joshua. Because of his long standing image as the one who could speak face to face with God and because he was told that he would not lead them on this final part of the journey, he tells them that God Himself will precede them into the land that was promised to them.
Responsorial Psalm Deuteronomy 32:3-4ab, 7, 8, 9 and 12
R. The portion of the Lord is his people.
In this psalm of praise for God’s salvation we hear the pledge of Moses again, that God himself would lead them into the land promised to the Children of Israel (who was once named Jacob).
Gospel Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
Jesus, in this selection from St. Matthew’s Gospel, summarizes what is known as “church order”. It is called this because, in response to the question “who will be greatest in the Kingdom of heaven, Jesus refutes the rank and privilege of the secular world and indicates that those whose faith is like a small child will find greatness in heaven. He goes on to remind them that angles of God watch over these children and that there is no greater sin than leading a child to sin. Nor is there a greater duty than seeking a child who is lost (to sin).
Reflection:
The readings and, indeed, the memorial of St. Maximilian we celebrate today speak of the leadership of God’s people. This leadership principle starts with the first reading as the mantle of leadership of the children of Israel is passed from Moses to Joshua in accordance with God’s wishes (remember the promise God made when Moses failed to draw water from the rock at Merihah on the fist try).
The focus of Moses' discourse is to remind the people that God himself leads them and that He will not fail to provide for them. To take his place he appoints Joshua as guide for the final leg of their journey and reminds him as well to trust in God’s promise.
Leadership is also implicit in the reading from St. Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus tells those seeking the Kingdom of God that in order to take a place of honor there, one must become as a small child. That means that like a small child, faith must be absolute. In a child, there is no questioning; when their father asks them to do something they do not question “Is he right?” No, they follow his direction. This innocent faith is the way to the Kingdom of heaven and the Lord tells us that those with that faith have angles watching over them, keeping them from harm.
Then he instructs the leaders of the flock, saying that they must never lead one of the innocents astray. He tells us that to do so is the worst possible sin and the punishment will be swift and remorseless.
Any of us who are parents find this passage very sobering. We are charged with leading our children in the faith. The Rite of Infant Baptism enjoins us seven times to be the first and best teachers of our children. We are told that we teach them by what we say and do. This task, of course, falls to those outside the home in the faith community as well. Children and those with child like faith look to us to see the example of a lived faith we demonstrate. It is one of the most compelling instructions we have for doing our very best to follow the precepts set down. Leading one of these astray through our actions, after all, will cost us a great price.
Today our prayer is this, that we be the best teachers of the faith in what we say and do. We pray that those children or childlike in their faith will see our example and be lead unalterably to the Father’s throne where we hope to join them with all the angles and saints.
Pax
[1] The picture today is St. Maximilian Kolbe, no photographer is cited.
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
Reading for the Memorial of Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Dt 31:1-8
In this passage from Deuteronomy, Moses passes the leadership of the Children of Israel to Joshua. Because of his long standing image as the one who could speak face to face with God and because he was told that he would not lead them on this final part of the journey, he tells them that God Himself will precede them into the land that was promised to them.
Responsorial Psalm Deuteronomy 32:3-4ab, 7, 8, 9 and 12
R. The portion of the Lord is his people.
In this psalm of praise for God’s salvation we hear the pledge of Moses again, that God himself would lead them into the land promised to the Children of Israel (who was once named Jacob).
Gospel Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
Jesus, in this selection from St. Matthew’s Gospel, summarizes what is known as “church order”. It is called this because, in response to the question “who will be greatest in the Kingdom of heaven, Jesus refutes the rank and privilege of the secular world and indicates that those whose faith is like a small child will find greatness in heaven. He goes on to remind them that angles of God watch over these children and that there is no greater sin than leading a child to sin. Nor is there a greater duty than seeking a child who is lost (to sin).
Reflection:
The readings and, indeed, the memorial of St. Maximilian we celebrate today speak of the leadership of God’s people. This leadership principle starts with the first reading as the mantle of leadership of the children of Israel is passed from Moses to Joshua in accordance with God’s wishes (remember the promise God made when Moses failed to draw water from the rock at Merihah on the fist try).
The focus of Moses' discourse is to remind the people that God himself leads them and that He will not fail to provide for them. To take his place he appoints Joshua as guide for the final leg of their journey and reminds him as well to trust in God’s promise.
Leadership is also implicit in the reading from St. Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus tells those seeking the Kingdom of God that in order to take a place of honor there, one must become as a small child. That means that like a small child, faith must be absolute. In a child, there is no questioning; when their father asks them to do something they do not question “Is he right?” No, they follow his direction. This innocent faith is the way to the Kingdom of heaven and the Lord tells us that those with that faith have angles watching over them, keeping them from harm.
Then he instructs the leaders of the flock, saying that they must never lead one of the innocents astray. He tells us that to do so is the worst possible sin and the punishment will be swift and remorseless.
Any of us who are parents find this passage very sobering. We are charged with leading our children in the faith. The Rite of Infant Baptism enjoins us seven times to be the first and best teachers of our children. We are told that we teach them by what we say and do. This task, of course, falls to those outside the home in the faith community as well. Children and those with child like faith look to us to see the example of a lived faith we demonstrate. It is one of the most compelling instructions we have for doing our very best to follow the precepts set down. Leading one of these astray through our actions, after all, will cost us a great price.
Today our prayer is this, that we be the best teachers of the faith in what we say and do. We pray that those children or childlike in their faith will see our example and be lead unalterably to the Father’s throne where we hope to join them with all the angles and saints.
Pax
[1] The picture today is St. Maximilian Kolbe, no photographer is cited.
[2] After Links to Readings Expire
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