In today’s Gospel Jesus’ disciples ask him this question: “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” They are probably expecting or hoping that he would name them! Instead, he names a child, a “little one,” as the greatest. To be great one must be humble. Jesus is trying to teach his disciples that his way is one of service and sacrifice. Right before today’s Gospel passage on true greatness is Jesus’ second prediction of his passion: “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” (Matthew 17:22).
Jesus calls us to take up our cross by following his way of service and sacrifice. If Jesus, the Lord, humbly washes the feet of his disciples so also must we.
“Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do” (John 13:12-15).
So, when Jesus calls us to “become like children” he does not mean to act childish but to act humbly. In today’s society there seems to be a real lack of humility among government and even religious leaders. Everyone wants to make their point and pontificate but refuses to listen with respect to the other. This week is the Synod of Bishop, a time for humble and prayerful listening not only to bishops but also to laypeople since all through their baptism have the gift of the holy Spirit. The Spirit blows where it wills and through many different voices.
The best commentary on today’s Gospel on humility and greatness is yesterday’s second reading from Philippians:
“Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus…though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave…he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name…” (Philippians 2:5-9).
Image: “Group of five happy children jumping outdoors.” by Lighttruth is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.