One of the most radical, tender and confronting teachings in the whole Gospel is found in Matthew 18:1–14.
Jesus doesn’t simply praise children. He uses them as the measure of greatness in the Kingdom: “the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven.”
“Anyone who welcomes one little child like this in my name welcomes me.”
“It is never the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.”
These three statements form a single spiritual challenge - and with them, Jesus is asking us to turn our thinking around.
The disciples ask an adult question: Who is the greatest? Jesus answers with a very un‑adult gesture: He places a child in their midst. A child has no status, no power, no achievements, no leverage, and no pretence. And yet Jesus says: This is greatness.
Jesus dismantles the entire adult hierarchy of worth - achievement, reputation, influence, productivity, theological sophistication - and replaces it with humility, trust, vulnerability and openness.
It’s not that children are perfect. It’s that children receive. They don’t stand before God with their résumé; they stand with empty hands. Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged with humanity.
Their very presence reminds us that hope is still possible, wonder is still alive, and innocence still has a place in our world.
Children are generally affectionate, self‑confident, tolerant, helpful, cheerful, independent, curious, imaginative, reliable, generous and full of wonder and awe These are qualities we adults should have - but often lose. Adults can posture, be pretentious, even downright phony. Above all, adults are often self‑conscious - which is a polite way of saying we are obsessed with what others think of us.
Aah, for the simple and unpretentious qualities of children, who have not yet learned to be obsessed with appearances; who have not yet become cynical; who have not yet retreated into posturing to navigate the convenient deceptions of adulthood.
When we have the wonder of a child, we become open again - open to learning, open to surprise, open to God. Ask a child to draw their family and you’ll see creativity that leaps off the page.
Creativity is essential for adults too. Coupled with our life experience, childlike creativity helps us grow, see things from new perspectives, and understand others more deeply.
Children, in their simplicity, are more able to say, “I am what I am”. They are focused on pleasing their parents rather than a crowd of strangers. And the very youngest children need only the basics – food, shelter, and intimacy. Children have a natural tendency to love, respect, and believe their parents. As parents - and grandparents - we therefore have an awesome responsibility.
Hug your children. Spend quality time with them. Play with them. Reinforce good feelings. Encourage their positive actions.
So, what does Jesus’ teaching mean for our own journeys? Jesus calls us to surrender, to rediscover our inner child, to let go of the planner and goal‑setter, to live in the present moment, and to trust the Shepherd who found us and carried us home.
That is precisely the “becoming little” Jesus speaks of. It’s not shrinking your dignity - it’s shedding the layers that hide your true self.
And here’s the deeper challenge: Humble yourself like the child. Not humiliation - but truthfulness. Letting go of the masks, the self‑protection, the need to appear strong.
Welcome the child. Not just the child in front of you - but the child within you. The part of you that is simple, trusting, joyful, unguarded. Protect the little ones. Jesus warns strongly against harming or discouraging the vulnerable This includes the vulnerable parts of your own soul — the places still healing, still tender, still learning to trust. Trust the Father’s heart.
“It is never the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.” This is the Gospel in a single sentence. You are not lost. You will not be lost. The Father’s will is your safekeeping.
Now comes the reversal Jesus invites: Move from self‑reliance to dependence, from control to surrender, from achievement to receptivity, from adult pride to childlike trust, from fear of being small to joy in being held. This is not weakness. It is the strength of the Kingdom.
Children, in their better moments, display traits we adults ought to imitate. If we had the wonder and awe, creativity, trust, and innocence of a child, perhaps this world would be a kinder, gentler, more productive place.
So today, ask yourself: What childlike qualities do I want to imitate? And more importantly: What part of the child within me needs to be welcomed, encouraged, and set free?
Have a golden day and treasure life.
Terry Lees
Marist Association Member
Mt Isa, Queensland
Article first published in The Catholic Leader and reproduced with permission.