Daily Catholic Lectio
Tue, 11 Aug 2026
XIX Week in Ordinary Time
Eze 2:8-3:4. Mt 18:1-5, 10-14
Greatness of the Little
Today’s Gospel reading calls us to become little, while we often desire to become great and to possess great things.
The word “little ones” is used in three ways.
First, the “little ones” are the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
To the question, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” Jesus does not give Abraham, the father of faith, as the answer. He does not give Moses, who gave the Law, or Samson, the strong man, or David, the king, or Solomon, the wise man, as the answer.
Instead, He presents the little ones, the children, and those who humble themselves as the greatest.
Second, the “little ones” must not be despised.
We must not look down on the little ones or consider them inferior. We must give them the respect and dignity that belong to them.
Here, “little ones” also refers to Matthew’s community. Before the Judaism of their time, the new community that believed in Christ was considered a “small” community and was pushed aside.
Third, the “little ones” must not be lost.
Jesus gives the parable of the lost sheep. One sheep is considered more important than the ninety-nine. The number ninety-nine is ninety-eight times bigger than one. Yet the shepherd does not consider the one sheep as something insignificant. He goes in search of it.
In today’s first reading, Ezekiel receives the prophetic mission from the Lord God. When he is commanded, “Eat this scroll,” Ezekiel eats the scroll.
Today we also remember Saint Clare of Assisi. Following the path of Saint Francis of Assisi, she renounced everything and held on to Christ. Her firm and unchanging determination becomes a lesson for us.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
A Yesni Prays Initiative
Yesu Karunanidhi 
Leave a comment