Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:13-14, 2:1-3; Matthew 18:1-5

Not surprisingly today, given the work of John Baptist, the memorial Gospel deals with words of Jesus about children. We are told that his disciples came up to him one day and asked Jesus:

Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

One wonders what answer they might have given to their own question, but it is likely they were quite surprised by Jesus’ response. For he called over a child who was nearby and said to them:

Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

It must be emphasised that the “kingdom of heaven” is not referring to life after death. To ‘enter the kingdom of heaven’ is to become part of the plan God has for our world, a plan communicated to us by his Son, Jesus. All those who live their lives in accord with the way of life that Jesus has called us to are ‘Kingdom’ people.

We might ask what has being like a child a help towards being a Kingdom person? Children obviously have shortcomings due to their inexperience and lack of understanding. However, children at their best are open-minded and eager to learn. They have not yet developed biases or prejudices. That is the kind of attitude we need when God speaks to us. One might say that John Baptist de la Salle had this attitude. It was his openness to God’s will in his life that enabled him to give up what could have been a materially comfortable existence to devote himself to the education of boys from poor families.

But Jesus continues:

Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

This was certainly something that John Baptist dedicated his life to doing. He and his brothers took care of thousands of young people in the name of Jesus and prepared them for life. And they continue to do this all over the world.

The First Reading speaks of Timothy being asked to pass on the richness of the message he himself has received. In instructing his companion, Paul says to Timothy:

Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

And further on he says:

…what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.

These words also apply so well to John Baptist. For he had been himself enriched by the years of formation and spiritual reflection and this he passed on to his Brother companions who in turn passed it on to the thousands of students who came into their care. We continue to pray for the La Salle Brothers and their wonderful work and also for all teachers that they may pass on to their students a formation which will benefit them and the society in which they live and work.