From safari…….
Who is the greatest? What does it mean to be better than another? A footrace can determine the better runner. Grades are given in school to determine the better student. A most valuable player award is given to determine the best player in a sport. An Oscar is given to the best actor. But does being better in something make one better than another person?
Jesus answers the question saying, “If anyone is wishing to be first, they shall be last of all. Greatness comes in self emptying, self giving. This greatness comes by Jesus’ means, not worldly means. And to stress the point further he places a child in their midst. This scene in the gospel is not as shocking to us as it would have been for the disciples. In Jesus’ time the child was a non person. Children were on the absolute lowest rung of the social ladder. This doesn’t mean they were mistreated or unloved, but that they were totally dependent on others.
To be great is to fully depend on God and God’sdirection.
Greatness is the person who sees work to be done in Africa and goes there as a medical missionary. Greatness is the person who sees the face of God in the poor and sick in the streets and spends time working in food kitchens, massages their feet, and listens to their stories. Greatness is the person despite being put down by others, discriminated against is able to believe that people are really good at heart. Greatness is to be a voice for the powerless --- the immigrant, the minority. To work for justice and bring an end to prejudice.
Greatness is the person who can set aside bitterness and thoughts of revenge and reach out in forgiveness. Greatness is the teacher who shares the joy of learning, loves students unconditionally, and who’s only expectation is that each student show kindness to others.
But greatness can be elusive. James points out that disorder and conflicts come when we give into jealousy, envy, and selfish ambition. The problem is that we see the world through our eyes and not God’s eyes. We ask God to do things our way rather than asking God to show us his way. Jesus is our model of greatness. He emptied himself becoming one like us. His prayer in Gethsemane was not that God do things his way, but that the Father might give him the strength to do things God’s way. May our prayer be the same ---- Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done ---- and our greatness be seen as we extend the love, forgiveness and compassion of God to one another.
Fr. Ron
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