Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5,10

 

There are two images — the angel and the child — which the Church shows us in today’s liturgy. 

 

The Book of Exodus proposes the image of the angel that the Lord gives to his people to help them on their journey. Our life is a journey that leads us to the place that the Lord has prepared. No one walks alone. Should one of us believe he is able to walk alone, he would end up having that attitude of sufficiency.

 

The Lord gives a clear indication to Israel: respect, listen and not rebel.It is in essence, that obedience of wisdom, that obedience of listening to advice and making a better choice based on advice. 

 

The Gospel offers the imageof the child. The disciplesargued about who was the greatest among them. From his side Jesus teaches them the true attitude. In doing so reveals the docility, the need for advice, the need for help. This is the way. 

 

It is as if the Lord said: if you have this attitude of docility, this attitude of listening to advice, of an open heart, of not wanting to be the greatest, that attitude of not wanting to walk the path of life alone, you will be closer to my attitude.

 

We can conclude with a series of questions so that each one can examine his/her own conscience: How is my relationship with my guardian angel? Do I listen to him? Do I tell him: to guard me while I journey?’ Do I ask his advice?