THE WORD
Job1,6-22 / Lk 9,46-50
An argument arouse among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.”
Then John said in reply, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company.” Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”
IN OTHER WORDS
The disciples wanted to know the “greatest.” What standards do we use to measure greatness?
The world’s measure is status acquired through power, wealth, and being a celebrity. This results in spiritual impotence - the very opposite of the way of the Cross. Those on this path have their backs to the Cross and to Christ. He calls us to turn around, face him and move towards him, again. And he does it by means of a little child. “But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by his side, and said to them, ‘Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives Him who sent me; for he who is least among you, this is the one who is great.’”
This child is the Lord’s alternative to the search for status because it is weak, insignificant, a nobody - utterly lacking in any ability to confer status on anyone.
Status as the world defines is irrelevant in the Kingdom. The only thing that matters is pleasing the Lord, and to do that we must follow his example and serve the brethren. The world finds greatness in status, but the Lord finds it in service. And so, in our mission apostolate and programs, in our building fund, we ask: Are we doing these to build His kingdom or our empire? To gain status or to serve better? The answer to these questions will determine the kind of blessing we receive.
Servanthood flows inevitably from the gospel. Therefore, to be a slave to status and the worldly means of achieving it, to seek fulfillment and self-worth from the world, is to live in a manner utterly incompatible with the belief in the Gospel we profess to have.
- Fr. Cyril Ortega, SVD | DWC, Vigan, Ilocos Sur
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
