1. Who Is the Greatest?
2. And A Child Shall Lead Them
Introduction
1. Who Is the Greatest?
“We are the greatest, the mightiest, the strongest nation on earth,” say the politicians. “I am the greatest of all time,” says the boxer. “I am the boss, and you do what I say,” says the manager. “I am stronger than you,” says the schoolboy. “Anyone who wants to be first must make himself or herself the last and the servant of all,” says Jesus. Jesus asks us, “What do you say?”
2. And A Child Shall Lead Them
All, parents particularly, know how defenseless and fragile children are. That is why God loves children very much, as Jesus showed us in his whole life. Jesus tells us even how we have to become like children, not that we have to become childish but that like children we must be spontaneous, open and simple. Children do not ask for their due; they expect things from others and they accept everything as a gift. In the same way we must be open to the gifts of God and of people. People are God’s gift to us too. Children symbolize the beginning of life; so everything should be ahead for us, too, and we go forward with Jesus as our guide.
First Reading: The Upright Person Is Contested
The faith of the just is a silent accusation against those of little or no faith. This is why they are ridiculed or persecuted.
1 Reading Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
The wicked say:
Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;
he sets himself against our doings,
reproaches us for transgressions of the law
and charges us with violations of our training.
Let us see whether his words be true;
let us find out what will happen to him.
For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him
and deliver him from the hand of his foes.
With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test
that we may have proof of his gentleness
and try his patience.
Let us condemn him to a shameful death;
for according to his own words, God will take care of him.
Responsorial Psalm 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8
R. (6b) The Lord upholds my life.
O God, by your name save me,
and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
hearken to the words of my mouth.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
For the haughty men have risen up against me,
the ruthless seek my life;
they set not God before their eyes.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
Second Reading: The True Christian Is a Peacemaker
How much peace there would be if Christians did not give in to the evil in their hearts.
2 Reading James 3:16—4:3
Beloved:
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there is disorder and every foul practice.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,
then peaceable, gentle, compliant,
full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
for those who cultivate peace.
Where do the wars
and where do the conflicts among you come from?
Is it not from your passions
that make war within your members?
You covet but do not possess.
You kill and envy but you cannot obtain;
you fight and wage war.
You do not possess because you do not ask.
You ask but do not receive,
because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Alleluia. 2 Thessalonians 2:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: The Child as Model
Who is the greatest? In God’s kingdom it is the little ones!
Gospel Mark 9:30-37
Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee,
but he did not wish anyone to know about it.
He was teaching his disciples and telling them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men
and they will kill him,
and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.”
But they did not understand the saying,
and they were afraid to question him.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,
he began to ask them,
“What were you arguing about on the way?”
But they remained silent.
They had been discussing among themselves on the way
who was the greatest.
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,
“If anyone wishes to be first,
he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
Taking a child, he placed it in the their midst,
and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
“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.”
Commentary
Jesus wanted to be alone with his disciples, in peace and quiet, to give them a new teaching: about humility and suffering. But instead, they were wrangling about their own importance. Anyone else would have given up on them! But the Lord knows how to work with the most intractable material. “They said nothing…” because they were ashamed. They suppressed their argument for the moment, and it looked as if the argument was over. But no. It would break out again later. By their very obtuseness, they are teaching us about peace – just as a slow learner sometimes helps the whole class by slowing down the teacher!
Blessing
Those among us who are parents or teachers
love their children and try their best
to teach them all what is right and good.
But let us also learn from our children
to be spontaneous and trusting
towards God and one another,
admiring and grateful,
and expecting all that is good.
May God keep you in his love and bless you:
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.