Be Least

Today’s Gospel Text: And an argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But when Jesus perceived the thought of their hearts, he took a child and put him by his side, 48 and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me; for he who is least among you all is the one who is great." 49 John answered, "Master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us." 50 But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him; for he that is not against you is for you." Luke 9:46-50

Reflection: In today’s world can we think about the greatness of a person minus the privileges they enjoy.

Though they opt to be servants of all, yet privileges makes them delegate much of their labour on to others. Thus these great in reality make servants of others rather than becoming servant of all.

Who is the greatest or who among them is the greatest? Yes, in the gospel, the argument was among themselves.

It seemed like kids at fight. We did that in childhood to find out who was strong, not knowing at times that the eldest had the greater strength by age among us boys.

We learnt to respect the great among us on the basis of strength and the only way to beat that strength was to take up matters with the higher ups. If anyone of the parent did intervene then all other greatness took a beating, even if it meant injustice.

Jesus was no doubt the greatest and this argument among them only existed in relationship with Jesus. At the same time it revealed a mind set among the disciples which revealed their hidden motives for following Jesus.

They were expecting Jesus to become great in the worldly sense of the term and what is more these simpletons, many of them fisher folks were now beginning to see themselves as identifying with a person whose popularity was growing by the hour.

The simple when they taste power and popularity forget the greatness that they have received as pure gratis or as a gift from God who out of his great mercy chooses us from among the people of the world in order to manifest his humility.

Hence, to opt for greatness is a legitimate human desire which is not to be condemned, for even God does not condemn it, but to seek it at the cost of true humility is what is condemned.

'Be least of all and not the Lord of all', can be said to be the message of Jesus in order to be great in the Kingdom of heaven.

I would desire that all seek that greatness by opting for the path of humility and it would glorify God much.  

Prayer: Lord, teach me constantly the path of humility, the path of being nothing in the midst of your dedicated disciples.

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