1Reflection for September 28, Monday; St. Lorenzo Ruiz and Companions, martyrs (M): Luke 9:46-50

Gospel: 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.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Who is the greatest? It’s the humble one, the one who is always willing to serve us, always willing to be with us. We may not know it but Jesus has been serving us since time immemorial. He is in the person of the priest during the Sacrament of Reconciliation forgiving us of our sins.

He is always present in the Eucharistic or Holy Mass celebration humbly giving His Body and Blood to nourish our bodies and our souls. He is the greatest treasure that we can ever have! But His greatness is a paradox to many of us because we measure greatness by our worldly standards. Such as greatness thru power and influence this is mostly fueled by political power, position in government and in the private sector and the size of our bank accounts. But these greatness are passing and temporary; the time will come that it shall pass us and we shall be forgotten.

Jesus is the personification of true greatness: His humility, His self-sacrifice and His refusal to wield power for His own self interest. This greatness of Jesus is usually unheard in this world nevertheless we should emulate the greatness of Jesus and shun the greatness that this world offers us.

Which greatness do you prefer? – Marino J. Dasmarinas