Whoever Welcomes This Child In My Name Welcomes Me

This meditation is based on a passage for June 4, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Luke 9:37-50

Reflection and Question: We have reflected before (Mt 18:1-5, Mk 9:33-37) on the central theme in Jesus’ teaching of humility captured in the assertions that the first shall be last and the last first, and in the image of a child. It helps to remember that children were the property of the father in the household in Jesus’ time, only slightly more valuable than the farm animals. The honor Jesus bestows on children here is highly unusual. It also has a provocative logic for me: we are to welcome every child as we would welcome Jesus. Does this change in any way when that child becomes an adult?

Prayer: Jesus, our Teacher, we bow before Your greatness. Forgive our yearning to join in Your power. Instead, may we kneel at Your feet like a child clinging to mother’s knees. Find in us the humility You desire, for there is our greatness. Amen.