First Reading: (Ezekiel 2:8–3:4)
Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 119)
Response:
How sweet is your promise to my tongue, O Lord.
Gospel: (Matthew 18:1–5, 10, 12–14)
Reflection
The Gospel readings these past few days have been on point. Today's is of no exception. Childlike simplicity and greatness are contrary to what we believe in our world. We have grown up knowing that the greatest are those occupying positions of higher authority: those who call the shots, those who matter, those who are positively talked about, and the famous.
We have become accustomed to seeing the respect accorded to those in high office.
Oh, how we grew up wishing to be like them!
They even intimidate others because of their office and position. We hear it being said, “He is a big man. She is a big woman.”
Now, the title “big man” or “big woman” is accorded to them, and respect is given to them, not necessarily for the great things they have done. It is simply for the position they occupy. Take the position they occupy from them, and that respect is gone with them as well.
Because, yours truly, if respect and honor were to be accorded to people for what they have done and for the service they have rendered, some of our so-called “big men” or “big women” would be stripped of all their titles and positions.
We see great people being chauffeured, driven in expensive cars, and given privileged treatment. So much so that we have come to limit greatness to these external appearances only.
No wonder people fight for positions and can even kill for positions, not for service, but just for the glory attached to those positions.
But Jesus tells us that greatness is found in service rendered, not simply service received in the position occupied.
So, it is not enough to occupy a position. The question is:
How much service can be rendered?
Greatness is judged by the extent to which one makes oneself like a child, that is, to be of service, unassuming, forgetful of self, and, above all, humble.
If leaders or presidents of groups and associations were told that their responsibility was to do all the work of serving and cleaning while everyone else relaxed and ate, would anyone still want to be a leader?
Think about it.
If people were told that their office as leader or president was to do all the work while others enjoyed themselves, I wonder how many people would still vie for those positions.
But how do we see service?
We see it as menial work and degrading to those in authority.
The executives sit and enjoy themselves and let the work be done by the ordinary members.
Yet it is precisely in that service that greatness is found and measured.
And if it is about service, a true servant is forgetful of self but ready to bring joy to others through his or her service.
In our lives and in our work, are we servants?
That is the true test of our greatness.
How much of ourselves do you give and burn out in service for others?
Not how much money we control.
Not how many people we have under us.
Not the number of decisions we can make concerning the lives of others.
We don't therefore need a position to be great.
We must not be heard or seen to be great.
The truly great people are mostly in the background, never seen, never heard, yet doing their work unnoticed and bringing joy to everyone else.
Like St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus.
In the little things, she found greatness.
Like St. Teresa of Kolkata.
In the little things, serving the poor, she found greatness.
Like our Lord Himself, Jesus Christ, humbling Himself to wash the feet of the apostles.
In that, he found greatness.
So, it is not about talking about our positions.
“Do you know who I am?”
“Do you know who you are talking to?”
We don't need to tell us who you are. Absolutely unnecessary.
In our humility, we shall know who we are and so would the people around us.
But if we need to remind us of who we are, it means something is definitely off.
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