On his deathbed, in the first reading today, Moses urges his successor, Joshua to be brave and steadfast. Moses, the greatest figure in the Old Testament history of Israel's journey with Yahweh, has completed His own mission. Now it is time to pass on the task to the next generation. If we view this reading in the light of the Gospel today, we can see Moses as a shining example of Jesus' teaching on greatness. His disciples ask Him who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And He replies that those who desire eternal life must become like little children. In His mysterious kingdom, the least is the greatest.

But what does it mean to "be like children"? Jesus is not telling us to be childish (immature, irresponsible), but childlike (simple, humble, aware of our dependence on God). Moses is a beautiful example of the great person who is truly childlike. He protests his own unworthiness for the mission Yahweh entrusts to him. But, when Yahweh assures him that He will work through Moses' weakness and nothingness, Moses humbly accepts the challenge. And whenever the Jewish people are rebellious or ungrateful, he mediates for them with God. He reminds Yahweh that the people belong to Him.

What about me? Am I truly childlike in acknowledging that everything in my life depends on God? If so, the kingdom of heaven is mine too!