Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 9:46-50

An argument arose 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.”

 

Today’s Gospel reading is all about pride and ambition. The apostles are arguing over who is the greatest among them. One of them feels that they must be first among the rest. Jesus, sensing the tension between them grabs a young child and places him at his right hand 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.” It’s amazing that Jesus uses a young child to set the example. Children in the time of Jesus had no rights or standing in society. They were at the very bottom of the ladder of society. When we are ambitious and seeking glory for ourselves, we are trying to elevate ourselves to the very top rung. A young child is meek and humble and innocent and does not see the ladder.

 

Not only are his disciples arguing over who is first, but they are also upset that they are not exclusive. John complains that someone else was casting out demons in the name of Jesus. The apostles told him to stop because he was not one of the twelve. But Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.” What gave them the exclusive right to Jesus? Are we not all called to cast out demons in Christ’s name? Are we not all called to be servants of the Lord? We must humble and set ourselves at the bottom of the ladder to truly be first in the eyes of God. Jesus came to this earth to serve and not to be served. We are called to mimic Christ.  We are called to be servants.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, allow your grace to overflow into me,

To give me strength to be humble and meek,

To have a childlike level of innocence.

May that grace give me strength to serve others.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon