greatness - 25th sunday B
These are the questions debated by the disciples among themselves. The same questions which they kept to themselves, too embarrassed to reveal. The very same questions, which Jesus, nevertheless, answered for them. What is greatness? How do we measure success?
Greatness lies in service. It is not what we get and accumulate rather it is what we give away. It is not seeking our own welfare rather it is seeking the welfare of those around us. It is not the power we acquire but the service we render including the humility and the sacrifices we bear in doing so. That is greatness for Jesus. And when greatness is such, success therefore is measured by how much we share with others, how much we care for others, how much we serve others, how much we sacrifice ourselves for others, and how much we love others.
Many times we have equated greatness with being on top, being in charge, being in control and calling the shots. This kind of greatness leads to a situation where one imposes and the rest follow, one is victor and the rest are vanquished, one dominates and the rest are dominated, one wins and the rest lose. This is the same kind of greatness that answers the perennial question asked by St. James in our second reading today, the question: what causes wars among us, what causes conflicts? The desire, the passion for predominance, the desire to control, the desire to win, the desire to be on top.
So is Jesus prohibiting us from pursuing our ambitions, or to fulfil our desire to excel? Is Jesus prohibiting us from struggling hard to be really good at something? No. Jesus said, if anyone wishes to be first. He encourages us to be first, he encourages us to aspire for greatness, he encourages us even to outdo each other, but this time not according to the world’s convention of greatness but this time to Jesus’ own definition of greatness. St. Paul in his letter to the Romans said, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Outdo - take the lead in doing good, don’t just respond but take the initiative, to outstrip. It cannot be I cannot reconcile with him because he does not apologize to me. No – we have to outdo. It cannot be, well you never asked, you never told me you needed anything. No – we outdo – we anticipate each other’s needs.
What started then as an ambition to seek first place in the church, to seek first place in the community, St. John Chrysostom said, ended with Jesus in seeking first place in heaven, “because love persuades us to seek first places in heaven.” Outdo each other in showing love.
While preparing for their golden anniversary, a couple once told me of their life and the many difficulties they had to undergo in their relationship through the years – the trials, the temptations, the times when both were ready to give up on each other, the time when they gave up on each other. So how did you survive, I asked. The woman replied, “Every day especially during those hard times, I always repeat the promise I made to him that whatever happens ‘I will always love you more.’”
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