Kids, in this story, did you hear the disciples arguing? Boy were they, and it was over something really dumb. You see, the disciples and Jesus were on a journey walking through Galilee, and while they walked, Jesus was trying to teach them some important things. But instead of listening, they were arguing. And here’s the crazy thing, they were saying things like, “I’m the greatest” or, “no, I am going to be the greatest!” or, “Jesus has a really important job for me when I get to heaven!” 

Pretty silly huh? Not only is it pretty silly, it’s really not very nice. Would you want to be a part of a group where everyone said they were the greatest? Me neither! But while they argued, they were not listening to Jesus, and they missed what he was trying to teach them… because they were too busy arguing. And Jesus was trying to teach them what they should be like here on earth so that they can get to heaven.

So, this made me think about what I used to do when I was a kid. My parents would ask me to do something like clean and pick up my room, and I would argue. I don’t know why, but I hated picking up my room. So, I would argue or just not do it. Well, my parents NEVER forgot that I was supposed to pick up my room, so I never got away with it, and I picked up my room. When I look back on that now, I realize that I should have done what they asked me to do. And the same goes for the disciples in this story. 

Jesus wanted to teach them, and he wants to teach us too. But for us to really understand what he promises, we have to do what he asks and not argue with him. Can you imagine arguing with Jesus? He would win. 

And what does Jesus ask us to do? Well, he asks us to be gentle, to say yes when asked, to forgive others, to be friends with everyone and most of all, to love. If we are these things – gentle, forgiving, kind, and loving, we are doing what Jesus asks. We are also showing people that we listen to Jesus, we act like he wants us to act, and we remind people what Jesus himself was like. 

Can we do that? Good!

Parents, the same of course goes for us. The last two lines of this Gospel passage sums it up well. It gives us examples to follow of how to do what he is asking of each of us. First, Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” In this world of individualism and me first, which, by the way, kind of sounds like the disciple’s behavior, do we choose to serve others? That’s countercultural. Jesus gives us another example to follow when he says, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” 

This example is important for us to slow down and think about. Children are open, gentle and trusting. They trust you for protection, shelter, support and love. Jesus is telling us we need to likewise trust our heavenly Father and follow what He asks of us. Like with our children, we are asked to be gentle to all, to say yes to those in need, to forgive and forget, to be friends by being inclusive and most importantly, to love. This helps us to rid ourselves of ambition, hatred, envy and pride, things the world tells us are OK. 

If our love, like a child’s love, is the foundation of who we are, we can sit back and watch our lives change. If we work to trust him more and more every day, we can sit back and watch our lives change even more for the better. And the way to do that is to imitate the love, gentleness, forgiveness, and trust of a child.

“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” A good example for us to follow.