Jesus’ disciples were arguing who was the greatest disciple in their group. In a teaching moment Jesus reached out to a child, who in first century Palestine was at the bottom of the socioeconomic structure – an example of the powerless and the exact opposite of the “greatest” in the world’s eyes. Jesus was saying that when you welcome a child in my name, you encounter me; when you accept the child, you meet God. This is the basis of Christian ethics: To think of every human being as one to whom Jesus Christ is a brother and God a parent. We are called to a special kind of greatness to honor the powerless, the needy; a greatness that places Jesus as center stage as Lord of our lives. My invitation to you: Go forth in the name of Jesus!
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