25TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Wisdom 2:12.17-20

Psalm 53

James 3:16 – 4:3

Mark 9:30-37

I WANT TO BE GREAT

Every human being aspires to achieve greatness. In our homes, churches, workplaces, in politics and public institutions, everyone wants to get promotion and be “the boss”, to be in charge, to have power. Unfortunately, we often achieve such greatness through the wrong way. Sometimes, we even destroy the reputation or persecute innocent and good people. For the life of the good person is a threat to our own malicious ambitions and evil living (cf. Wisdom 2:12.17-20). For St James, in the second reading, the root of our fighting, quarrels, wars and shameful actions lies in jealousy and selfish ambitions (cf. James 3:16 – 4:3).

That is why Jesus teaches us the right way to achieve true greatness: being the servant of all. When Jesus announced his Passion and death for the second time, his disciples were busy arguing about who was the greatest among them. So, Jesus told them: “If anyone wishes to be first, he must be the last and slave of all”. For Jesus, therefore, greatness is achieved through humble service to others, especially the most vulnerable in our communities. This is what the symbol of the little child placed in the midst of the disciples implies (Mark 9:30-37).

Here, the little child is a symbol of vulnerability. Thus, the child represents those who have no social status, no power, no influence, no defense on their own; a person who can easily be controlled and abused: the poor, the sick, the prisoner, the physically challenged, the elderly, the immigrant, and so forth. Welcoming these people, caring for them and serving them is the way to true greatness.

Therefore, when we set aside our jealousy and envy, our evil driven desires and selfish concerns and become welcoming, tender, kind, loving, compassionate, and humbly serving others, especially the vulnerable, we will be great. Like St Francis of Assisi or Mother Teresa who achieved their greatness through selfless service to the most vulnerable, let us seek the good and welfare of the little ones, for whenever we do good to the little ones, we do it to Jesus. As Pope Francis said in his homily at his inaugural Mass: “Let us not forget that authentic power is service." May God bless and keep all of us. Amen