Seventh Tuesday of Ordinary Time

Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “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.”

After telling his disciples that those who want to be first among his disciples must become the least and servants of all, he goes even further and shows them how to receive the lowly and the poor in spirit. He takes a child and wraps his arms around it. This hug expresses the depth of love Jesus has for us all. He wants his disciples to understand they must love others, especially the lowly, whom the child represents, with generous and gentle hearts. He makes clear that we will be judged by how we treat those who are most in need in this world. If we do treat them with love and respect, then we shall be blessed by not only Jesus, but His Father and the Holy Spirit.

How do we receive the lowly? Do we treat them well? How can we love those in need more perfectly?

O Lord, help us to receive others as you receive us.

Amen.