Good morning, good people.
May the Lord fill your hearts with courage and peace in the Holy Spirit. It is 12th August 2025.
We reflect on Deuteronomy 31:1-8 and Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14.
Are we childish or child-like?
We celebrate the memorial of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious, who encourages us in the light of the readings: “Hold your eyes on God and leave the doing to Him. That is all the doing you have to worry about.”
In the first reading, Moses, who led the people of Israel to the Promised Land, knowing that he would not cross over, still encourages the people: “Be strong and courageous… the Lord Himself will go before you and be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Even though we all face an unknown future, God walks with us, holds the future, and stands close to us. Moses leaves us with something so profound about leadership—handing over the responsibility to Joshua. The leader dies, but the journey continues, because the mission, the journey, and the destination belong to God.
We do not need to fear the Red Seas or the walls of Jericho still standing in front of us. There is no need to fear what we cannot control. Our God never leaves, forsakes, or forgets us.
There is a child within each of us—every child deserves love, respect, and care. Childlike qualities grow or shrink depending on whether we are nurtured in love or shaped by selfish tendencies. Some are naturally docile; most struggle to listen and learn.
Rebellion often surfaces as we test boundaries, yet the Gospel calls us to childlike—not childish—faith.
To be like children is to be open, willing to learn, dependent on God, confident in His love, and trusting without prejudice.
Inspired by children’s innocence, we must also learn from the poor in our community and relieve their suffering.
The Good Shepherd never tires of seeking the lost in our hearts, homes, and homelands.
God’s will to lose no one is fulfilled when we act with charity and mercy toward those in need.
“I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” (Mk 2:17) May your day be blessed.