We need to take care ourselves, not to despise Anyone

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 19th Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mt  18: 1-5, 10, 12-14*

*First Reading : Ezekiel 2:8 - 3: 4*

*We need to take care ourselves, not to despise Anyone*

*1) What is Despising Others*

In the Gospel of the Day, Jesus speaks about despising others and especially the little ones 

Despising means having a strong feeling of dislike, or a feeling of hatred or inferior feeling about others 

So we need to understand the importance of this sentence, which has got a deep implications in our lives 

*2) One needs to take care about, despising others*

Jesus says, *Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones*

Taking care here means, one has to be alert about this feeling, because feelings of dislike, and hatred, are closely associated with human nature 

If we are not careful, then these feelings may over power us and destroy our lives  

*3) Who are Little ones in the Gospel*

In today's context, even though the Gospel speaks about the little Children, the little ones has deeper meaning. 

The deeper meaning could be seen in the following ways 

Little ones means the poor, sick, uneducated, socially oppressed group based on colour, culture, language, the exploited ones in the society.

*4) Why one Should not despise the Little ones*

Since these little ones are favoured by God, despising these little ones would result in despising God Himself 

Secondly, God always takes the side of Little ones. So despising these little ones would result in fighting against God Himself, which will be dangerous to our life 

*5) End Results of despising the little ones*

One will not become great in the Kingdom of God. He/she will be least in the Kingdom of God. Such least ones may find very difficult to enter into the Kingdom of God 

Secondly, despising ones will find very difficult to Change their heart and mind. Jesus says *Unless you change and become like Children you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven*

Thirdly, the despising person will go astray and it will be difficult find him and to bring back to God's fold 

*6) Despising, and my life*

Do I despise any one in my life? 

If I am despising some one, what would be the reasons behind it? 

Some of the reasons for despising the little ones may be following

-Jealousy

-Fear of losing ones popularity and authority

-To keep them under ones control 

-To destabilise some one. So that they don't come up in life 

-When some one becomes a challenge, one despises the other 

-The greed for money, authority, power, position, name, popularity can lead some one to despise the other. 

Which are the aspects which compel me to despise another??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*