Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/419



I. "At  that  hour  the  disciples  came  to  Jesus  saying, who  thinkest  Thou  is  the  greatest  in  the  kingdom  of heaven?" (Matt, xviii.  i.)  A  little  before  this  there  had been a  contention  among  them,  "which  of  them  should be  the  greatest"  (Mark  ix.  34),  and  now  each  of  them wishes to  be  the  greatest  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven. Thus ambition  insinuates  itself  even  into  spiritual  things and persons,  and  hence,  they  ask  the  question,  who  is to  be  the  greatest  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven. Perhaps some may  erroneously  think  that  the  rich  and  powerful in this  world  ought  to  obtain  that  honor. But Jesus Christ will  undeceive  them.

II. "Jesus calling  unto  Him  a  little  child,  set  him  in the  midst  of  them,  and  said,  Amen,  I  say  to  you,  unless ye  become  as  little  children  you  shall  not  enter  into  the kingdom  of  heaven;  whosoever,  therefore,  shall  humble himself,  as  this  little  child,  he  is  the  greatest  in  the  kingdom of  heaven." (Matt, xviii.  3.)  Consider  what  is  to be  inferred  from  becoming  as  a  little  child. "Brethren," writes St.  Paul,  "do  not  become  children  in  sense,  but in  malice  be  children,  and  in  sense  be  perfect." (1. Cor. xiv.  20.)  A  child  prefers  himself  to  no  one,  arrogates nothing to  himself,  is  affectionate  to  all,  loves  his  parents and suffers  himself  to  be  governed  by  them. Act therefore in  this  manner  if  you  desire  to  enter  into  the  kingdom of  heaven. " Narrow  is  the  gate,  and  strait  is  the way,  which  leadeth  to  life." (Matt. vii.  14.)  Humble yourself, therefore,  and  become  little  in  your  own  eyes, and you  will  be  able  to  enter.