June 28, 2026
Jeremiah 28:5-9, Matthew 10:40-42
Theme: Whoever welcomes you welcomes me…
This morning the Gospel according to St. Matthew 10:40-42, is a short but deeply meaningful passage where Jesus says, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me” v. 40. And then He adds that even a cup of cold water given to “one of these little ones” v. 42 will not go unnoticed by God.
To understand the meaning of Jesus’ words in this passage, we must step back into Jesus’ world.
In Jesus’ context, it was a world of Hospitality and Vulnerability. In the first century, hospitality was not just politeness, it was survival. Travelers depended on the kindness of strangers. Disciples sent out by Jesus had no money, no bag, no extra tunic. They relied entirely on the welcome of others. And in that same world, children were among the most vulnerable. They had no legal standing, no social power, no voice. In the gospel of Mark Jesus tell his disciples, “Let the little children come to me… for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” They were often overlooked, sometimes dismissed, and always dependent on the care of others.
So, when Jesus speaks of welcoming His disciples, and then speaks of “little ones” He is deliberately pointing to those who are overlooked, and easily ignored. Jesus is saying: How we treat the least, the smallest, the most vulnerable – that is how we treat him.
To the disciples, these words of Jesus were both comforting and challenging. The words were comforting, because Jesus was telling them: “You matter and Your mission matters.”
The words were also challenging, because Jesus was also saying to his disciples: “You must become like the little ones, how? You MUST be humble, dependent, and trusting God.”
And to the crowds listening, Jesus was turning the social order upside down. He was saying that God sees the unnoticed act, the small kindness, the quiet welcome, the cup of cold water, the care given to a child and the compassion shown to the vulnerable in the society.
In a world obsessed with power and status, Jesus was teaching that the kingdom of God is built on small acts of love.
When Jesus speaks of “little ones,” He is not only speaking of children-but He certainly includes them. Children in the church are not the church of tomorrow. They are the church today. They teach us wonder. They teach us trust. They teach us how to receive rather than achieve. The children remind us that God’s kingdom belongs to those who come with open hands and open hearts.
And Jesus is clear: when we welcome children, we welcome Him. When a child is greeted warmly at the door. When a child is given space to ask question. When a child is allowed to laugh, or even cry in worship. When a child is taught that they belong.
In our world today, we often measure success in our congregations by numbers, budgets, programs, and visibility. But Jesus measures faithfulness by something much smaller and much deeper: A welcome. Hospitality. Kindness. Attention to the vulnerable. Care for the unnoticed. Love for the little ones.
Jesus is reminding the church through Matthew: we don’t need to be big to be faithful. We don’t need to be wealthy to be generous. We don’t need to be perfect to be welcoming. We don’t need to be powerful to make a difference in our communities.
My dear friends in Christ, we simply need to offer a cup of cold water – whatever that looks like in your context: It may be a listening ear. A safe space for children. A warm welcome to a newcomer. A meal for someone struggling. A prayer for someone hurting. A moment of compassion for someone overlooked.
In God’s kingdom, small things matter. Small acts carry eternal weight. So, what does Jesus ask of us to do as a community of believers in the 21st century? He asks us to be a church that truly welcomes. A church where children feel safe and loved. And in our first reading from prophet Jeremiah, he is reminding his audience and us today that discernment is essential, especially in times of fear and uncertainty like the times we are living in.