School is for children, but the Kingdom of God is for the child-like.

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season:  Nineteenth Week :  Tuesday*

*Gospel : Dt 31:1-8*

*First Reading : Dt 32:3-4ab, 7, 8, 9 and 12*

*Responsorial Psalm : Mt 18:1-5, 10, 12-14*

*School is for children, but the Kingdom of God is for the child-like.*

*1) School Is for Children: Training the Mind*

What school represents:

*Growth in knowledge* – learning facts, skills, and reasoning.

*Preparation for independence* – school trains children to eventually function on their own.

*Development of discipline and structure* – learning how to operate in the systems of the world.

School cultivates the intellect and equips for life in the world.

Education is good, but worldly systems often prioritize self-reliance, achievement, and status.

Children are trained to grow out of dependence, but this contrasts sharply with how Jesus speaks of greatness in the Kingdom.

*2) The Kingdom of God Is for the Child-like: Training the Heart*

Childlike people in the Kingdom are not immature, but they are:

*Trusting* – they believe in the goodness of their Father.

*Humble* – they don’t fight for status or recognition.

*Teachable* – open to correction, dependent on God’s word.

*Joyful* – not burdened by worldly anxieties or pride.

They don't outgrow dependence on God—they grow into deeper trust in Him.

While the world values becoming strong, educated, and independent, the Kingdom values becoming surrendered, humble, and led by the Spirit.

*3) God’s School: A Place of Growth and Nurture*

A nursery is a space designed for tenderness, nurture, and safety—not a place of achievement or performance.

In God’s nursery, growth is gentle and guided. The Father is patient as we learn to walk by faith.

This is not a call to spiritual immaturity, but to grow with humility, receiving from God what we need to mature

*4) A Safe Place to Be Loved and Transformed*

God’s nursery is not a place of shame but of compassion.

It’s where our identity is formed: not as performers or achievers, but as beloved children.

Even when we stumble, we are picked up, held close, and reminded of who we are.

*5) The Beauty of God's School*

In the God's School Jesus is the Teacher

In the School of God, there are no toys to play but there are articles to *Pray* such as Rosary, bravery etc 

In the School of God, we learn how to consume the body of Jesus in Eucharist 

In God's School there are no rhymes to learn byheart but the Scripture to read and understand 

In God's School, we lay a foundation for spirituality. 

The Child-like attitude is the Foundation for our life God's Kingdom

Am I ready to allow myself to be trained in God's School or God's Nursery??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*