Who is the greatest among us?  Is it the popular?  Is it the powerful? What is it to be great?

In our gospel according to Mark, when James and John got nearer to Jesus, they told Him that whatever they ask of Him, it will be granted.  Jesus asked them: “What do you wish me to do for you?”  They answered that they should be granted to sit beside Him in His glory.

Most probably at the back of the mind of James and John, they will be given this position of being great.  But Jesus asked them: “Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?  Then Jesus added: “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be the slave of all.  For the Son of the Man did not come to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.”

It is really a great thrust and a radical way of following Jesus with the questions posed to James and John.  And it is very applicable to us. We could also see here how we are challenged because Jesus’ humility is not easily understood.  To be great is to humble oneself – be a SERVANT.

Is it popularity?  Is it power?  Yes, probably.  To be great is to be popular and have power but nevertheless it should not be our point of reference in life.  If I will be asked, is it the real meaning of life?  To be great?  Will it give me the happiness that I am searching for?

As followers of Jesus, we cannot deny that His ways are not easy, of being a humble servant but it is a gesture of His love for you and me.  With God’s grace and mercy all things are possible, if we believe.

We all know that Jesus is the Son of God and He could be proud of it.  He was popular but He did not take advantage of His state.  He is a King.  For us, a powerful one and yet He was nailed on the cross, and died.

Are we still willing to follow Him?  Yes!  Why not?

 

Our Lady of Virtues Community, Pangantucan, Bukidnon