“one of these little ones” [Matthew 18:6]

“one of these little ones”. Jesus warns about the seriousness of harming innocent children – the deserved punishment being a millstone round the neck and thrown into the sea.
He said that a young child – presumably one who has not yet attained the years of moral responsibility – has the protection of a guardian angel. This protection He describes as angelic representation before His Father in heaven.
We live in a day when Aids, congenital diseases, famine and bloodshed mean that many become innocent victims and premature deaths in infants and young children are common.
Jesus assures us that none go unheeded and we can be sure that those who so suffer in this life will be rewarded in heaven and that those who molest will not go unpunished.