Daily Gospel Reflection for September 30, 2024

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Reflection by Fr. Edward Looney

Today's Gospel: Luke 9:46-50

People always want to be the greatest. This is an argument that broke out a few times among the disciples. Instead of wanting to be the greatest, we are called to be the least, and most humble. Jesus offers a teaching by placing a child in their midst and telling them,

“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

The image of a child at Jesus’s side is powerful, its meaning even more significant. In the context of who is the greatest and an invitation to humility, a child is an example. The one who is the greatest, namely Jesus, came to us as a little child. The God of the Universe humbled himself to be born of Mary and placed in a manger. Jesus is speaking from His own example and experience.

A child can teach us humility because their very livelihood is dependent upon their parents and other adults. A child has no money to pay for the necessities of this life nor do they have a car in their younger days to get from place to place. A child cannot cook or do laundry. The child is dependent for all their needs. A child is also innocent in their beliefs and open to learning from others, realizing they don’t have all the answers.

So too are we as children of God. We are dependent upon God for all that we have. Every good gift has come to us from above. When we realize that, then we know how great God is and how blessed we are by Him.

Ponder:

What lesson has a child in your life taught you?

Pray:

Thank you, Jesus, for becoming a child and showing us the way to the Father. Help me to be more childlike, dependent upon You, and humble in all that I do.

Copyright 2024 Fr. Edward Looney

Fr. Edward Looney is a priest of the Diocese of Green Bay, a Marian theologian, author, and podcaster. His book How They Love Mary is available from Sophia Institute Press and the podcast of the same name can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.