Scripture: Mark 9:36-37
He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, find he said to them, cialis “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Thought for the Day: In both Jewish and ancient Greco-Roman society, click children were very low on the social status ladder. Ancient Rome in particular idealized the mature adult, a tradition they carried over from the Greek artists who so influenced Roman culture (for quite some time, art in the Roman world was simply the creation of copies of ancient Greek masterworks).

Jesus was the guy who wanted to turn the world upside-down though. He explains to his disciples that in God’s kingdom—which is to be a very real, physical kingdom here on earth—those who are servants are of the highest ranking. The most honorable position in a world tuned into God is a life of service. When we serve others we honor God, because as each of us are reflections of God, when we serve another, we are serving God. Jesus holds a child as he tells this to the disciples, because in the peaceful kingdom he so wanted to create, children would be exalted. Children are, after all, the future of any society.Their welfare should be of primary importance.

Prayer: Welcoming and Hospitable God, may I always remember that human social status means nothing; that the highest status any human can achieve is that of a servant to your eternal, life-giving nature. Amen.