By Shiju Joseph csc –
Readings: Zech 8:1-8; Lk 9:46-50
In many versions of the Bible, today’s gospel passage is titled ‘True Greatness’. The society trains us to seek greatness, to become ‘someone’ in the society, and seek as much power as one can
muster. Ability to influence the lives of others sitting in a luxurious office is considered the sign of success.
Jesus reminds his disciples, who could not contain their curiosity about who among them was the greatest, that ‘true’ greatness consisted in something totally different. He uses the example of a little child who is powerless and helpless all by him/herself. True greatness did not come from being powerful ambassadors of the miracle-working Jesus, but from being his humble messengers.
If the people welcome us into their homes because of what we are able to do, they welcome us, not the God we represent. But when people welcome us as representatives or messengers of God, we do not need to rely on our might or greatness, because it is God whom they welcome and not us. Jesus demonstrates that even a child can be his (and his Father’s) messenger.
If we are chosen to be close to Jesus, it is not because of our greatness, but because he knows that his power can be most visible through our helplessness and powerlessness. For disciples who believed themselves to be self-important by virtue of being Jesus’ disciples, and for me who may pride myself to be a ‘chosen’ one, Jesus’ admonishing is very timely.