When Jesus put the child on his knee, he acted out a parable. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.” At first this incident appears simple, easy to understand. Don’t we all know how to receive a little child? Assuming we know all about it, we slide over “in my name” and “receives me.” We assume we know how to be gentle, caring, attentive and careful. Our voices even change, “Well, and how are we today?” Such treatment comes without thought and is filled with good will. Expansive and condescending, we know we are in control.

If we are to learn from the Scripture, we must react to what Jesus said. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.” His words prevent our being cavalier. In this simple event and words Jesus leads us to see things in a new way. Certain…