Cycle B, Year II
23 September
2012: 25th Sunday in
Ordinary Time
(Liturgical color: Green)
Mark 9:30-37
Greatness is service!
The usual understanding of "greatness" in our competitive society is being on top of the world. To be great is to be number one in human endeavors, who must outshine and outdo everyone else. Greatness is being the first!
Such competitive mentality was what the disciples of Jesus were arguing about among themselves in today's gospel event.
On the way to Capernaum (an ancient city in Palestine, on the Sea of Galilee) Jesus foretold for the second time that the Messiah will have to undergo his passion and death on the way to his glory and resurrection. But the disciples failed to understand what Jesus was saying, because they were busy arguing among themselves who should be first among them. They were thinking about their own personal power and glory in the kingdom when Jesus would finally reign as the Messiah.
But Jesus turns their worldly thinking upside down with his opposite preaching of what true greatness really is. Jesus said to them, "If anyone wishes to be the first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." This was of course shocking and radical preaching from the normal standard of society. Perhaps, Jesus needed practical example to drive home his point.
So Jesus places a little child in their midst to explain what greatness means in God's kingdom. He told his disciples, "Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me."
A child symbolizes the "little ones" of society -- the poor and the marginalized, because a child is totally dependent on others for survival and protection. Thus, to receive a child then is like receiving the lowliest in our society and ministering to their needs with humility.
In other words, Jesus is presenting a new standard to measure greatness. We become great by serving the lowliest in society. In practical life, we can do even small things in a great way when we have the right motivation of doing them to promote God's kingdom here on earth. For example, we practice Christian charity by ministering to the basic needs of the poor and the needy. Because in God's kingdom, greatness is serving all with humility. Greatness is being the last.
A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.
(Liturgical color: Green)
Mark 9:30-37
Greatness is service!
The usual understanding of "greatness" in our competitive society is being on top of the world. To be great is to be number one in human endeavors, who must outshine and outdo everyone else. Greatness is being the first!
Such competitive mentality was what the disciples of Jesus were arguing about among themselves in today's gospel event.
On the way to Capernaum (an ancient city in Palestine, on the Sea of Galilee) Jesus foretold for the second time that the Messiah will have to undergo his passion and death on the way to his glory and resurrection. But the disciples failed to understand what Jesus was saying, because they were busy arguing among themselves who should be first among them. They were thinking about their own personal power and glory in the kingdom when Jesus would finally reign as the Messiah.
But Jesus turns their worldly thinking upside down with his opposite preaching of what true greatness really is. Jesus said to them, "If anyone wishes to be the first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." This was of course shocking and radical preaching from the normal standard of society. Perhaps, Jesus needed practical example to drive home his point.
So Jesus places a little child in their midst to explain what greatness means in God's kingdom. He told his disciples, "Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me."
A child symbolizes the "little ones" of society -- the poor and the marginalized, because a child is totally dependent on others for survival and protection. Thus, to receive a child then is like receiving the lowliest in our society and ministering to their needs with humility.
In other words, Jesus is presenting a new standard to measure greatness. We become great by serving the lowliest in society. In practical life, we can do even small things in a great way when we have the right motivation of doing them to promote God's kingdom here on earth. For example, we practice Christian charity by ministering to the basic needs of the poor and the needy. Because in God's kingdom, greatness is serving all with humility. Greatness is being the last.
A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.
Deo Optimo Maximo
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