Gospel: August 12, 2025

August 12, 2025 (Tuesday)

19th Week in Ordinary Time

Psalter: Week 3 (Green/White)

St. Jane Frances de Chantal, religious

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

The portion of the Lord is his people.

See Also

Rice importation suspended for 2 months starting Sept. 1

1st Reading: Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

At that time, the disciples came to Jesus and asked him, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child, set the child in the midst of the disciples, and said, “I assure you, that, unless you change, and become like little children, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble, like this child, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and whoever receives such a child, in my name, receives me. See that you do not despise any of these little ones; for I tell you, their angels in heaven continually see the face of my heavenly Father. What do you think of this? If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them strays, won’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside, and go to look for the stray one? And I tell you, when he finally finds it, he is more pleased about it, than about the ninety-nine that did not go astray. It is the same with your Father in heaven. Your Father in heaven doesn’t want even one of these little ones to perish.

Reflection:

“To be gentle, humble and artless.”

At the end of his life, Moses gives a message of encouragement to the Israelites, telling them to trust in the Lord and to have no fear. Although they were like little children before the mighty Sihon and Og, who towered over them, they defeated these kings with God’s help. Thus, they are to remain steadfast in their trust in God. Christ teaches us that this child-like, humble trust is essential to our journey of faith. Pride presumes we need no one and no help. Humility honestly accepts that we need God’s help. Saint Francis de Sales, the spiritual director of Jane Frances de Chantal taught that we are like little children clinging to our mothers, eager to be fed. That same eagerness and happiness are to be the hallmark of our relationship with God, accepting God’s help in simplicity of heart, and delighting in it. We are to cling to the Lord in confidence and without heeding any criticism or conflicting message that would tell us we don’t need God in our lives. Likewise, Saint Jane Frances de Chantal taught others to be “gentle, humble and artless,” always trusting in God and acknowledging that we are “dependent on Him.”