In Israel's early days, the entire community was punished for the sins of a few. There were no private sins - the people stood or fell together. But things did change in the Bible throughout the centuries. Ezekiel set Israel on a new course: from now on, everyone would be punished for their own sins, not those of another. The only condition was that one warn the sinner of the consequences of their actions. Today we might hesitate to interfere in someone else's business. We are responsible for our own actions, but we can always set a good example and provide hope and encouragement for those who are faltering.

In the ancient world, children had no status or power whatsoever. Jesus shocked people by welcoming children and even insisting that we had to become like them to enter the kingdom of God. Children are eager, affectionate, expectant, filled with wonder, and trusting. Unfortunately, they lose many of these qualities as they grow older and follow the example of adults. We can too easily become suspicious, cynical, fearful, hardened, and filled with doubts. Let us seek to recover some of the qualities of our own childhood so that the kingdom of God can truly be ours.