Disciple Like a Child

In this story, we find Jesus walking with his disciples, trying to communicate part of the essence of his message, that he will suffer and die but then rise from the dead. But his disciples aren’t listening. Instead, they’re arguing about which of them is the greatest. How annoying. It’s a wonder Jesus got anywhere with these guys. On the other hand, being entitled and argumentative and obtuse is not unique to the disciples. We can all be like that. Being annoying appears to be part of the human condition.

In response to their argument, Jesus takes a child into his arms and says, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” Now, why do you think he does this?

I’m picturing a sweet, docile child, one so cute that everyone around says, “Aw, look at that little one! Of course we’d receive someone like this!” Holding a baby or a child in your arms is a special kind of wonderful. When they’re cuddly or kind of milk drunk or sleeping — there is nothing sweeter in this world. However, sometimes their sweet baby smell is suddenly a little poopy, or they won’t stop crying, or they’re squirmy and want to get down. Toddlers can throw tantrums when they don’t get what they want. Spend any time with a two or three-year-old and you’ll hear nothing but “no.” Children take each other’s toys and tease other kids; they exclude and bully. Tiny humans aren’t perfect either, and they can be as annoying as big ones, So, then, why does Jesus use a child as an example?

I looked to the other readings for this Sunday to see if they offer any insight into what Jesus might mean. In the Reading from the Book of Wisdom, bad people are conspiring against “the just one.” He has challenged them for their lawless ways, so they plot to kill him. This reading isn’t about Jesus in particular, but it sure sounds familiar, like what Jesus says in the Gospel about his own suffering and death. Apparently, plotting against those who challenge the status quo isn’t just about Jesus; ambition of the wicked against the just is timeless. Likewise, the Second Reading from James critiques people for their ambition: “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice.”

Both the First and Second Readings warn about ambition, and maybe the Gospel does too. Ambition is one key difference between children and adults. Kids can be entitled and spoiled, for sure. They can push other kids out of the way to get to the front of the line, kind of like the disciples are doing in the Gospel. However, children are not ambitious. Ambition has an element of self-sufficiency to it, and although children can be selfish, they can’t be self-sufficient because they depend on others to take care of them. Ambition tries to get ahead on one’s own terms with one’s own efforts, and it rejects any reliance on anyone else – other people and even God. Ambition is problematic because it runs over other people and assumes that we can stand on our own. Jesus, though, insists that we rely on each other and care for the most vulnerable. “If anyone wishes to be first, they shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” This is not just a clever saying. It’s the heart of the Gospel message. Jesus lived it so profoundly that his service to all led to his death – and his resurrection. Aligning ourselves with Christ means that we serve other people, not that we step on them as we climb to the top. Service might mean being last – and suffering – but ultimately rising with Christ.

So, following Jesus doesn’t make people less annoying (or argumentative, entitled, and obtuse) no matter what age we are. However, it does call us to put other people before ourselves. It also calls us to recognize that we are not self-sufficient. We need each other, and we all suffer in some way. We have to accept the suffering that life gives us and allow those moments to move us toward Christ. Our faith assures us that God is with us, hurting through our heartbreaks and celebrating our joys. The Pascal Mystery – suffering and death and resurrection – is not one of ambition but one of vulnerability. There’s no getting ahead in the Christian life. Each of us is dependent, called to disciple like a child, open to life as it unfolds and trusting that God is with us, taking care of us.

For Reflection:

  • Have you ever dealt with ambition – your own or someone else’s? What was that like? What effect did it have on you?

  • How does it feel to recognize that you’re dependent on God and other people?

  • How do you find the balance in your life of dependence and agency, of trust in God and taking action when you need to?

  • What’s God’s call for you in all this?



by Sister Leslie Keener, CDP

Sister Leslie Keener, CDP is the director of God Space, a community-building spirituality ministry in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. She’s a Sister of Divine Providence with a Masters in Ministry and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction and Retreats from Creighton University. She directs retreats, meets with people for spiritual direction, and serves as the vocation director for her community. She enjoys music, dancing, meaningful conversations, and this present moment.