MEMORIAL OF SAINT THÉRÈSE OF THE CHILD JESUS. VIRGIN AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH - Gospel (Mt 18:1-5) THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
- NHA CHUA CHA
- Oct 2
- 4 min read
FIRST READING - Neh 2:1-8
"Send me to Judah, to the city where my ancestors are buried, that I may rebuild it."
A reading from the Book of Nehemiah
1 In the month Nisan of the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when the wine was in my charge, I took some and offered it to the king. Because I had never before been sad in his presence, 2 the king asked me, “Why do you look sad? If you are not sick, you must be sad at heart.” Though I was seized with great fear, 3 I answered the king: “May the king live forever! How could I not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates consumed by fire?” 4 The king asked me, “What is it, then, that you wish?” I prayed to the God of heaven 5 and then answered the king: “If it please the king, and if your servant is deserving of your favor, send me to Judah, to the city where my ancestors are buried, that I may rebuild it.” 6 Then the king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take and when will you return?” My answer was acceptable to the king and he agreed to let me go; I set a date for my return.
7 I asked the king further: “If it please the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of West-of-Euphrates, that they may give me safe-conduct till I arrive in Judah; 8 also a letter for Asaph, the keeper of the royal woods, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the temple citadel, for the city wall and the house that I will occupy.” Since I enjoyed the good favor of my God, the king granted my requests.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Mt 18:1-5
"Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."
✠From the Gospel according to Matthew
1 At that time the disciples[b] approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a child over, placed it in their midst, 3 and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,[c] you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 [d]And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.
MEMORIAL OF SAINT THÉRÈSE OF THE CHILD JESUS. VIRGIN AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
Gospel (Mt 18:1-5)
THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
Dear People of God,
Today, the Church celebrates Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, who had a childlike spirit and always lived pleasing to God.
Today's Word of God tells everyone that whoever wishes to enter the Kingdom of Heaven must first become like little children, having a simple, humble, little, and lowly heart before God and all people, everywhere and at all times.
For the Kingdom of Heaven is reserved only for those with humble, simple, and lowly hearts, while the proud, arrogant, and conceited will not be in His Kingdom.
God calls everyone to live simply, humbly, and with greater self-abasement, following the example of Saint Thérèse, who always had a childlike, little soul before God and always desired to live pleasing to Him in all things.
He also reveals: whoever lives humbly, with self-abasement, lowly, and little like a child, that person will be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Therefore, God calls: while living on this earth, everyone should practice living simply, being little, and humble before God and all people; live with love, solidarity, united, and welcome all of our brothers and sisters, regardless of wealth or poverty; for all people, whether good or bad, are images of God; never despise the littleness and the lowly, for God always loves the lowly, simple humble in the littleness of hearts before Him.
Therefore, He calls everyone: whoever wishes to enter the Kingdom of Heaven and enjoy eternal bliss, then right here on this earth, become like little children who always nestle into God's embrace, always know how to listen and live according to His teachings; that is genuinely a childlike heart that always trusts and relies on God's love and mercy.
God always extends His arms, inviting and awaiting those who repent and return to Him.
Therefore, He calls His children to live with love for all people, become humble and little like the image of Jesus Christ who came down to earth as human, and have a simple, humble heart always to know how to rely on, listen to God's Word, and put it into practice in life. Living this way, God will bestow the reward of the eternal Kingdom of Heaven hereafter.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
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