Gospel: Luke 9:46-50
One day, the disciples were arguing about which of them was the most important. But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he took a little child and stood him by his side. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me. And listen: the one who is found to be the least among you all, is the one who is the greatest.”
Then John spoke up, “Master, we saw someone who drives out demons by calling upon your name, and we tried to forbid him, because he doesn’t follow you with us.” But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him. He who is not against you is for you.”

Reflections
“Who is the greatest.”
Jesus sets for us the criterion for greatness, that is the welcoming of God into our lives, through the welcoming of Jesus, and ultimately the welcoming of the little ones of our day, namely: those who are put to the margin and those who are neglected. And they may include those ordinary people who walk into our lives. The welcoming of God may be construed as the acceptance and embracing of the good news of God’s saving love of all creation that is effected in Jesus and translated into works of justice, peace and integrity of creation. This welcoming entails acts of service to all that God loves. We are the greatest when we promote the interest of justice, peace, and mercy.
Given the above considerations, our simple, random acts of kindness and service to others, and our actions of caring for God’s creation and protecting it may be the measure of greatness in the reign of God. They do not really need recognition as being great because they are simply great before God.

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