The Path of True Greatness

My brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,

The Gospel for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Mark 9: 30-37) presents a powerful and challenging message. The disciples, as we often do, were caught up in the ways of the world. They were concerned about status, power, and who among them was the greatest. But Jesus takes this moment to turn their expectations upside down. He shows them, and us, that the kingdom of God operates on a completely different set of values. Values, which are not easily understandable and even more difficult to put into action.

Following Jesus

Jesus' journey toward Jerusalem, where He will face suffering and death, is marked by this constant misunderstanding from His disciples. Maybe they assume that following Jesus will bring them earthly power and prestige. But Jesus shows that His way is much different than what they imagine. It is His way which includes difficulties, trials, suffer and pain. In Jesus’s words: “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him” (Mark 9: 31).

Friends, think about it.

It is hard to accept: The way of Jesus, following him requires humility, meekness, self-sacrifice, and service.

Let us go back to our text.

What were the disciples arguing about on the way toward Capernaum?

They were ashamed – they could not even answer Jesus, when he asked.

They were ashamed about their own thoughts.

They had been discussing who among them would be the greatest.

Dear Friends

Are the disciples any different than us? Is it not human to want to be loved, to want to be seen and recognised? This human longing is a part of our nature – given from God himself.

Jesus knows us – deeply.

Instead of scolding the disciples, Jesus teaches them the divine meaning of being loved, being seen and recognised.

And then... Jesus brings a child into their midst and says,

“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me” (Mark 9: 37).

This image of a child is significant. We need to understand, that in the time of Jesus, children had no status, no rights, and no power. In the public eye – children were insignificant.

By embracing a child, Jesus invites his disciples—and us—to embrace a radical rethinking of what it means to be great. To be great, to be honoured in eyes of God is not to dominate, but to surrender, to serve others, especially the vulnerable and the powerless. This is not a popular message.

In a world that often values ambition, self-promotion, and personal success - the call to obey, to serve can feel counter intuitive. But again – this is the way of Jesus — the way of true greatness.

The Way of Jesus

We see this lived out in the lives of Saints like Mother Theresa, who dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor. Or St. Francis of Assisi, who renounced wealth and status to live in life of simplicity and service.

They understood that the way of Jesus is not one of self-promotion or pride. Every day, we have many opportunities to embrace this call to service. It could be something as simple as listening to someone who is lonely, offering a helping hand to a neighbor, or being patient with someone who frustrates us. It’s in these small, often unnoticed acts of love and kindness that we live out the Gospel call to serve.

Brothers and Sisters

I would like to share with you something very significant.

Following Jesus is not only about humility and service.

Following Jesus is not all gloom and pain.

Following Jesus means sharing his joy of life, celebrating happiness, gratitude and fulfilment. Jesus offers us the love of God and gives us the promise of eternal life when he says: "Three days after his death the Son of Man will rise."

Let us ask God for the grace to follow his Son’s example, to see the face of Christ in each other – in the face of a child.

In the eyes of God. This the path of true greatness.