Daily Reflections

Jesus confronts his disciples who were caught up in argument about who was the greatest amongst themselves. Jesus, attempting to show his disciples a deeper understanding of his mission, teaches his disciples that rivalry and selfish ambition are obstacles to their mission and leads them away from the Kingdom. Rebuking the disciples, Jesus holds up a little child to them as a model of greatness and urges his followers to have child-like trust and dependence on God. 

How do we achieve greatness? Jesus shows the disciples that greatness is achieved through humility, trust and childlike faith.  Children have an open heart, not yet hardened by the world and its trappings.  They are powerless, cannot care for themselves, and considered least in that world.  We hear many times through the gospels that unless we humble ourselves and become like children, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3)

Again, here Jesus turns everything upside down.  The world sees greatness as determined by status, ambition, money and having someone serve them.  However, Jesus demonstrates that greatness is being humble, being of service to others, welcoming the small and vulnerable, the person left out, and the childlike.  He shows us the antidote to greatness is humility.

Being humble is not about a lack of confidence but rather a knowing that everything comes from God.   Jesus himself is our guide.  We also see guides in saints like Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta – an example of humility and greatness.  She made a powerful difference in this world, through service and great love, walking in the footsteps of Jesus.  She had the self-confidence to know that she could made a difference because of the power and grace of God.  Her faith demonstrated an open heart and a complete trust and dependence on God. 

It’s easy for us to lose sight of our baptismal mission – to encounter Jesus, to love one another and to bring peace and love to others.  When we keep our eyes on Jesus and those who follow him,  humility, service and a childlike trust are the signs that our hearts are open to God’s will. That is the true sign of greatness.

By Lisa McKerr