+ It seems as though the theme of the Jewish people always wanting to rank the greatest and the most famous, has always been part of their heritage. They were always taking the law – even the law of God into their own hands – when they got impatient, to maintain their importance. And even when they were punished for their sins and sent into exile they still dreamed of being restored to greatness one day, and in the gospel passage today the disciples of Jesus are arguing among themselves about who is the greatest among them.
Jesus sighs, and tells them that the great ones are the small ones. Receiving a child with respect, dignity and deference is even more important that receiving a reigning potentate! The least among you is the greatest, he tells them. And stop worrying about those who are doing good things using my name. Leave them alone – for their part they are on our side – if there are sides to be on. A good deed done for God is a good deed done for God no matter who does it! But a good deed done for God is always better than a good deed done in general, or simply for profit.
The Lord did rescue his captive people in Babylon, the great ones who had become the least in Babylon – but unfortunately, in time they would resume their superior attitude and by the time Jesus comes along would have developed a great hardness of heart regarding the things that really mattered.
We pray today for all who base leadership on power, prestige and the amount of dollars in a banking account, rather than on simplicity, humility and smallness. May they, ourselves included, like Jesus, seek the last place of service, among all, and find a treasure trove of blessings and reward and eternal life!
The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many!
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