Contemplating today's Gospel
Today's Gospel + homily (in 300 words)
But the people answered, «Far be it from us to forsake the Lord for the service of other gods. For it was the Lord, our God, who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, out of a state of slavery. He performed those great miracles before our very eyes and protected us along our entire journey and among all the peoples through whom we passed. At our approach the Lord drove out all the peoples, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God».
Joshua in turn said to the people, «You may not be able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God who will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If, after the good he has done for you, you forsake the Lord and serve strange gods, he will do evil to you and destroy you».
But the people answered Joshua, «We will still serve the Lord». Joshua therefore said to the people, «You are your own witnesses that you have chosen to serve the Lord». They replied, «We are, indeed!». Joshua continued: «Now, therefore, put away the strange gods that are among you and turn your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel». Then the people promised Joshua, «We will serve the Lord, our God, and obey his voice».
So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem, which he recorded in the book of the law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was in the sanctuary of the Lord. And Joshua said to all the people, «This stone shall be our witness, for it has heard all the words which the Lord spoke to us. It shall be a witness against you, should you wish to deny your God». Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to his own heritage. After these events, Joshua, son of Nun, servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten.
I bless the Lord who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me. I set the Lord ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.
“Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray.”
Fr. Antoni CAROL i Hostench (Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain)Today we are given the chance to contemplate a scene that, sadly, feels all too familiar: “Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them” (Mt 19:13). Jesus has a special love for children; yet we, with the poor reasoning so typical of “grown-ups,” often keep them from coming to Jesus and to the Father: “When they’re older, if they want to, they can choose for themselves…” This is a grave mistake.
The poor—meaning those most lacking, those most in need—are the special object of the Lord’s love. And children, the little ones, are indeed “poor.” They are poor in age, poor in knowledge… defenseless. This is why the Church—our “Mother”—asks parents to bring their children to be baptized without delay, so that the Holy Spirit may dwell within their souls and they may enter into the warmth of the community of believers. This is clearly taught both in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and in the Code of Canon Law, the highest forms of Church discipline (for the Church, like every community, must have its rules).
But no! —we often hear— “When they’re older…” This way of thinking is absurd. Let’s ask ourselves: —What will this child eat? Whatever his mother gives him—without waiting for the child to specify his preferences. —What language will this child speak? The one spoken by his parents (otherwise, the child will never be able to choose any language at all). —Which school will this child attend? The one his parents choose for him—without waiting for him to decide what subjects he prefers…
And so: —What did Jesus eat? Whatever His Mother, Mary, placed before Him. —What language did Jesus speak? The language of His parents. —What religion did the Child Jesus learn and practice? The religion of His parents—the Jewish faith. Later, when He was grown, and thanks to the formation He had received from His parents, He founded a new faith. But first came the faith of His parents—naturally.
Thoughts on Today's Gospel
"The great saints worked for the glory of God, but I'm only a little soul; I work simply for His pleasure” (Saint Therese of Lisieux)
"We must learn to see with a child's heart, with a youthful heart not hampered by prejudices or blinded by interests" (Benedict XVI)
"By living with the mind of Christ, Christians hasten the coming of the Reign of God, "a kingdom of justice, love, and peace." They do not, for all that, abandon their earthly tasks; faithful to their master, they fulfill them with uprightness, patience, and love.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, nº 2.046)
