Pray for us!
From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Matt 18:1-4
In that time: The disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest thou is the greater in the kingdom of heaven? And so on.
Homily of St. Leo, Pope
Sermo 37, in Epiphaniae solemn 7, cap 3-4
The whole teaching of Christian wisdom consisteth, dearly beloved, not in an abundance of words, not in skill in disputation, not surely in seeking after praise or glory, but rather in seeking after true and voluntary humility. This was the way which the Lord Jesus Christ chose and taught with all his strength from his Mother's womb to his death on the Cross. When the Lord's disciples, as the Evangelist saith, discussed among themselves which should be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, he called a little child and set him in the midst of them, and said: Verily, I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Christ loveth childhood, which state at first he took upon himself, both in his soul and in his body. Christ loveth childhood, for it is the teacher of humility, the rule of innocence, and the type of meekness. Christ loveth childhood, for he formeth the character of the grown man on this model, and bringeth back the latter years of the old to this very state; and he shapeth on this wise those whom he would raise to the kingdom of heaven.
But, that we may be fully able to understand how this marvellous transformation can be accomplished, and by what change we are to return to the state of childhood, let us follow the teaching of the blessed Paul, who saith: Be not children in understanding; howbeit, in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. Hence we are not to return to the pastimes and imperfect beginnings of childhood, but thence are rather to take whatever is suitable to the full-grown: such as the swift passing of excitement; the speedy restoration of peace; the forgetfulness of injuries; the indifference to dignity; the love of the companionship of their comrades; and the natural evenness of temper. It is indeed a great good not to know and not to have a taste for harm; for to do and to return injuries is the wisdom of this world, but to render no man evil for evil is to possess the childhood of Christian goodwill.
The mystery of this day's festival, dearly beloved, calleth you to this imitation of little children. And the Saviour, who was adored by the Magi as a child, recommendeth to you this pattern of humility. To shew what glory he prepareth for them that would imitate him, he consecrated by martyrdom those born at the same time as himself. And thus the children born in Bethlehem, where Christ was born, became sharers of his passion by virtue of sharing the age of his infancy. Let the faithful then love lowliness, and shun all arrogance. Let each one prefer his brother to himself. Let him seek not even what is his own, but only that which will profit his brother. The feeling of charity will abound in all; the poison of envy will be found in none. For he that exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. This is the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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