‘At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven’ (Mt.18:1-4).
When Jesus was in Capernaum the disciples came to Him and asked this question ‘who is the greatest among us?’ The context reveals that, this question was asked by all the disciples of Jesus. The query was very simple and highly relevant for them at that time, because they raised this question after Jesus’ transfiguration and His promise to give the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven to Peter.
Since the transfiguration was a very important event in His life, Jesus took an inner circle of Peter, James and John to accompany Him. The other disciples might have misunderstood this act as Jesus granting special authoritative positions to these disciples, and this might have led to this query. As a convincing answer to the disciples, Jesus presented a child in front of them and asked them to be like a child.
The word used for child in this passage is ‘Padion’, which indicates a child up to the age of 7 and not ‘Teknon’, which is usually used to refer children up to age 14. The conversation here is about the Spiritual childhood. Spiritual childhood means an openness to learn and willingness to grow together. Jesus proposes this as the fundamental elements for greatness.
Let us see some of the qualities of children that are essential for greatness. When Jesus set the example of the child to the disciples and the gathering, he was moulding the mindset of His hearers in par with Kingdom expectations. Church being the visible channel of the reign of God, it is the divine expectation that its ecclesiastical organization should be based on this very teaching of Jesus Christ. Here, let us remember verse 3 that proclaims – ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven’.
The process of identifying, and adopting the nature of a child should be revised in the life and work of the church, and here the context clearly shows that Christian community can be built only if there is an ongoing conversation and willingness to change from the part of all. An interpretation of the two inherent qualities of a child will definitely empower us to build up an inclusive Christian community that provides adequate space for ecumenical relationships: Humbleness for a qualitative church: In the original text the word that is used for humbleness is ‘Tapeinon’ that literally means to humble, to make low, and to bow down.
This would also mean to respect others without having an egoistic element. It is one of the peculiarities of a child to be humble and free from any sort of egoistic temper. Here we should be very careful that the above mentioned terms should not be misinterpreted as a means of suppressing the historically marginalized sections of the society. ‘To humble’, ‘to make low’ and ‘to bow down’ should be primarily applied to one’s own egoistic temper and his/her notion of superiority, even with in the ecclesiastical traditions.
That is to humble and make low one’s attitudinal authoritarianism. Ecumenism is possible only through accepting each other without having any element of egocentric nature. One should be aware about his or her status in order to accept others. In ecumenical circles, many a time, churches are not ready to go beyond their own dogmas or appreciate doctrines of others. Every denomination has its own individual nature.
Ignorance and negligence towards other denominations is strongly opposite to the nature of humbleness. Jesus’ life was a good example for being humble. Kingdom values will only be possible through the unity of the churches and making it as Universal that Matthew asserts through out his gospel. Radical openness for an Inclusive church: Another prominent character that a child holds is radical openness. It is by the gradual acquiring of knowledge that a child develops intellectually and emotionally.
A child is naturally open for this process through which he/she attains intellectual maturity and emotional stability. It could also be observed that a child always like changes. We have to be open enough to accept the standpoints of others.
A receptive mind will help us to rethink upon and to make timely changes in the traditional patterns. Openness towards others will definitely help us to know more about them and will provide space to accommodate them as part of ecumenical relationships. Radical openness would surely empower the churches not only to accommodate others, but also to revitalize themselves in ecumenical relationships. Quite often, ecumenism remains in the theoretical level. But most of us are confused when it comes to practice. In the contemporary ecclesial situation, where ecumenism is badly threatened, Jesus’ teachings calls forth for humbleness and radical openness in order to reframe effective ecumenical relations and interactions. May the Holy Spirit lead us and guide us to become instruments in this endeavor in realizing Kingdom values. Amen.
Author: Rev. Fr. Binu Joseph is an ordained minister of the Chaldean Syrian Church of the East.
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