First Reading (Eccl 17,1-13).
Reading of the Book of Ecclesiasticus.
From the earth God created man and formed him in his own image. And he makes him return to earth again, although he has clothed him with power, similar to his own. He granted him numbered days and an appointed time, he gave him authority over everything that is on the earth. In every living being he instilled the fear of man, making him dominate over beasts and birds. He gave men discernment, a tongue, eyes, ears, and a heart to think; filled them with intelligence and wisdom. He also gave them the knowledge of the spirit, filled their hearts with common sense and showed them good and evil. He instilled fear in their hearts, showing them the greatness of his works. He granted them to boast of his wonders, to praise his holy name and to proclaim the greatness of his works. He also granted them instruction and handed down to them the law of life as an inheritance. He made an everlasting covenant with them and showed them his righteousness and his judgments. Their eyes have seen the greatness of His glory and their ears have heard the glory of His voice. He said to them, “Beware of everything that is unjust.” And to each he gave commandments concerning his neighbor. The ways of men are always before the Lord and cannot be hidden from his eyes.
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (Mark 10,13-16).
Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, they brought children for Jesus to touch them. But the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he became angry and said, “Let the little children come to me. Do not prohibit them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like them. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” He hugged the children and blessed them, laying hands on them.
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Think for a moment about a newly planted garden. The seeds have been carefully placed in the earth, the water nourishes the soil, and the gardener eagerly awaits the first sprouts. This garden did not make itself. It was planned, designed and cultivated with purpose and love. In a similar way, our readings today tell us about our divine origin, our dignity as creatures made in the image of God, and the kind of heart we must cultivate to fully enter the Kingdom.
Reading Ecclesiasticus presents us with a beautiful reflection on the creation of humanity. “The Lord created man from the earth,” the sacred author tells us. There is something deeply humbling about this image. We are literally “human” – from the Latin word “humus”, which means earth or soil. Our roots are in the dust of the earth, reminding us of our fragility and dependence.
But the reading continues, revealing our extraordinary dignity: “and he made him in his image.” What a wonderful paradox! We are at the same time dust of the earth and image of the Divine. This tension between humility and dignity defines our human existence. We are limited, finite, subject to death – “he makes them return to the earth again”, says the text. And yet, we carry within us the spark of the Eternal, a reflection of God himself.
The text of Ecclesiasticus enumerates the gifts that God granted to humanity: numbered days, power over all things on earth, dominion over animals and birds, discernment, tongue, eyes, ears, mind to think, and most importantly, “he filled them with knowledge and intelligence, and showed them good and evil.”
Reflect for a moment on these extraordinary gifts. The ability to think abstractly, to create art, to compose music, to formulate mathematical theories, to contemplate the mystery of our own existence – these are abilities that distinguish us in the created world. And with these gifts comes tremendous responsibility: the discernment between good and evil, the ability to make moral choices, the freedom that defines our humanity.
The reading continues: “He created in them the knowledge of the spirit, he filled their hearts with wisdom.” Wisdom is not just intellectual knowledge, but a deep understanding that springs from the heart. It is the ability to see reality as God sees it, to discern what really matters in life.
And then, in a moving passage, the author tells us that God “has set his eye on their hearts.” Imagine that for a moment – God’s watchful, loving gaze focused on our hearts. Not in our external achievements, not in our appearance, not in our social status, but in our hearts – the center of our being, where our true motivations, desires and loves reside.
And why does God do this? “To show them the greatness of their works.” We are created not just to exist, but to marvel at creation, to contemplate the greatness of God, to praise the Creator for his magnificent works. Our capacity for admiration, for amazement, for reverence in the face of mystery is an essential part of our humanity.
This is where our reading of the Gospel intertwines perfectly with Ecclesiasticus. Jesus says: “Let the little ones come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to them.” And he adds: “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will not enter it.”
Who are these “little ones” that Jesus refers to? They are literally children, yes, but they also represent all those who keep alive the capacity to wonder, to trust, to love without complications, to receive freely.
Children naturally possess what we adults often lose along the way: the capacity for admiration in the face of mystery, spontaneous trust, openness to the gift. They have not yet built the barriers of skepticism, pride, and self-sufficiency that often prevent us from receiving the Kingdom.
Think of a young child seeing the ocean for the first time, or discovering a butterfly perched on a flower, or looking up at the stars on a clear night. Your eyes widen, your mouth opens in amazement, your entire being responds with wonder and joy. This is the disposition that Jesus invites us to recover – the ability to marvel at the world that God created, to see with new eyes the beauty and mystery that surrounds us.
Children are also naturally trusting. They give themselves into the arms of their parents without calculating risks, without asking for guarantees. This simple and deep trust is what Jesus invites us to have in our relationship with God. Not a naive faith that denies the complexity of life, but a trust that, even in the midst of doubts and questions, continues to rely on God’s love.
And perhaps most importantly: children know how to receive. They do not try to earn or deserve the gifts they receive; they simply accept them with joy and gratitude. Likewise, the Kingdom of God is not something we achieve through our own efforts or merits, but a free gift that we are called to receive with open hands and grateful hearts.
When Jesus “embraced the children and blessed them, laying hands on them,” He was visibly demonstrating what He had taught: that little ones are precious in God’s eyes, that they have direct access to His heart, that they do not need special credentials or qualifications to be loved.
My dear brothers and sisters, today’s readings present us with an invitation to rediscover our true identity as human beings. We are creatures of dust, yes, but we are also bearers of the divine image. We are limited and finite, but endowed with extraordinary gifts. We are called to use our intelligence and freedom, but also to keep alive within us the heart of a child that knows how to wonder, trust and receive freely.
In a world that often values autonomy, control, and self-reliance above all else, Jesus’ message sounds countercultural and challenging. He invites us to recognize our fundamental dependence, to abandon the illusion that we can save ourselves, to regain the simplicity and trust that are the path to the Kingdom.
May we, in this Eucharist and in our daily lives, cultivate the childlike heart that Jesus values so much. May we look at the world with renewed eyes, seeing in it not just inert matter, but the reflection of God’s wisdom and love. May we recognize in each person, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized, the divine image that no sin or suffering can erase.
And that at the end of our earthly journey, when we return to the dust from which we were created, we can do so with the confidence that the God who formed us, who set his eye on our hearts, who embraced us as Jesus embraced the children, will welcome us into his eternal arms.
May the Lord, who created us from the earth and made us in his own image, bless us and keep us. May He make His face shine upon us and give us peace. Amen.
