We should read the passage from Sirach whenever we are tempted to think poorly of ourselves or other people. Human beings have been given so much by God - even God-like powers and responsibilities. God has great trust in us and even greater hopes. All that God asks is that we make good choices, avoiding those things that we know are wrong, as well as practice love and justice towards our neighbour. It is helpful to try to hold in our mind and heart each day the image of God that is within us. Whenever we find ourselves struggling with people, situations, or self, we can pray to honour and do justice to the gifts that God has bestowed on us.

What does it mean to accept God's Kingdom as a little child? A child is filled with a sense of delight and wonder, and is able to imagine, see, and believe many things that adults deem to be impossible or nonsense. They have not yet learned to be cynical and doubtful, although they will unfortunately learn to be so all too soon. The Kingdom of God is not about being important or having power, neither is it about presenting a fine image to the world. Children have no power or status, and yet they are God's delight. Let us then receive God's gift like a child receives a gift - with joy, gratitude, and delight, and without suspicion, cynicism, or self-seeking. Count the number of blessings and gifts that God gives you in any one day - there are far more than you ever imagined.