Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Tuesday of the 19th week in ordinary time, August 11, 2026, Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin

Delivered by Joanna from the Parish of Saint Gabriel in the Diocese of Bandung, Indonesia. Ezekiel 2: 8 - 3: 4; Rs psalm 119: 14.24.72.103.111.131; Matthew 18: 1-5.10.12-14.PROUD CHILDREN  Our meditation today has the theme: Proud Children.There was a reunion of elementary school alumni. All the attendees consisted offarmers, laborers, government employees, teachers, clergy, and even the mayorof the local regency. Among all these, there was one very special guest, namelyan 88 year old man, who was the first principal of the elementary school. Allalumni have fond memories of the beloved teacher and principal. All alumni still remember how their former teacher andschool principal always treated each student as his own child. In essence, theteacher always considered each student a proud child. Every child had thepotential and talents that should be developed further. He always used apersuasive approach in the direction and correction of the students' behavior,particularly those who were naughty or indiscipline. Every time he finishedgiving advice or correction, he always said something like this expression: "Youare a child to be proud of." Every child in our family, Church and society has theright for positive and healthy treatment. With this treatment, they will growin a positive and healthy manner, and therefore, reducing or eliminating theirbad behaviors such as indiscipline in following the norms and many kinds of badmanners. That former teacher and the school principal had actually practicedJesus' own treatment to the children, which was to accept and to bless them.Jesus placed small children in our midst in order to teach us aboutappreciation and care for the life which is the most important gift of God tous. Obedience, enthusiasm for learning and following thediscipline in life are among the basic attitudes that we should have and we donot let the stubbornness of human heart or chaos to disturb our life. Humilityand perseverance to God are parts of our strength to fight pride, dominatingpower and violence in our society. The Kingdom of Heaven is reserved for peoplewho live in the spirit like the children who actually enjoy this life. We needto learn that the process of becoming something or someone must start fromsmall and weak. God uses our natural processes to establish His kingdom in theworld. Our faith grows from the beginning to become a mature faith. We can have certain idea or thought, which areconstructed from the collection of different little facts and experiences. Ahouse or building is made from the elements of cement, sand, stones and tiles.A professor has gone through the experience of learning and practice fromchildhood and all of his years of study. So being small, from beginning andyoung, should make us always proud of. We should be grateful that all of thesehave always been continuing to shape us to become what we are at every momentof our lives. Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O God, bless us for this day, so that everyexperience that occurs today indicates that You are always faithful in Yourwill to each one of us. Hail Mary, full of grace ... In the name of the Father...