TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YR B
Wis. 2:12, 17-20; Ps 54
Jams 3:16-4:3; Mk 9:30-37
GREATNESS IS SERVICE
On their way to Jerusalem, Jesus speaks again about his passion. This is the second prophecy concerning his passion: “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death, the Son of Man will rise.” (Mk 9:31)
Interestingly, when Jesus was talking about his suffering and death, the disciples seemed to be more interested in their personal ambitions. Does this not happen to many in our communities? Don’t we find people abandon the welfare of the elderly while thinking of what share of the property will come to them when they (the elderly) pass away?
When Jesus asked what they were talking about, “they remained silent” (Mk 9:31). This silence is an admission of guilt and shame. Their silence resembles that of the Pharisees who also found themselves silenced by Jesus’ teachings.
Jesus rebukes their personal ambitions and fight for greatness. He admonished them to think of service as the way to greatness. He was emphatic; “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” (Mk 9:35). This teaching of greatness and service could not have been taught at a better time than on the road to his own humiliation in Jerusalem.
He further demonstrated this by taking a child and had him stand before them, embraced the child and said, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me…”. We must be careful here not to think that the child was presented as a symbol of service or humility. Children and women at the time were not considered as they are today with rights and respect. They were considered auxiliary members of society. A child’s essence in the community was based on his attachment to his father. The child then, is a symbol of the lowly and insignificant and little ones in the community whom the disciples are to serve if they desired greatness. they represent people with no status, power or influence.
For Jesus, greatness lies in service and service to the marginalized, forsaken and the lowly in our society. Every Christian can be great because everyone can serve. A Christian’s greatness is achieved through service of the poor and the marginalized. There is always an opportunity for greatness because “the poor you always have with you” (Matthew 26:11).
When Christians fight for positions and recognition, it is souls that suffer salvation. It is the poor, the rejected and troubled who lose the opportunity to feel the love of God through the service Christians are to offer.
When leaders fight for power and more power, it is the common citizen who cannot afford a meal a day, pay rent and take care of his family who suffers. When there is confusion over power among leaders, whether Christian or secular, the common people do not get served and taken care of.
Jesus rejects this perception of greatness. His teaching about greatness is at variance with that of the world. Jesus does not reject prominence and greatness, but redefines it. It is when a Christian or leader properly cares and makes the lives of the little ones better.
We can all become great and we can all become leaders because we do not need a title to serve or a position to bring comfort, joy and salvation to the little ones among us.
Our greatness is demonstrated in our service of others regardless of their ability or willingness to pay, repay or to return the favour.
Greatness comes when we forgive those who have offended us when they have neither asked for forgiveness, nor changed their behaviour.
How is the leadership in our churches? How many leaders do we have in our society?
Do you desire greatness? Serve.
God bless you.
BY Rev. Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
