Catechism Classes – public /private school students Please note that
registration for these classes is this weekend, September 20th after the 9:30
Mass. Please go downstairs and register with Yolanda Swanson, our coordinator.
I hope that you will all have a wonderful and fruitful year of learning about
our faith!!
A
word about today’s Gospel:
How
ashamed the disciples must have been when Jesus overheard them arguing about
who among them was the greatest! But aren’t we like the disciples? We compare
ourselves with others and desire their praise. The appetite for glory and
greatness seems to be inbred in us. Who doesn't cherish the ambition to be
"somebody" whom others admire rather than a "nobody"? Even
the psalms speak about the glory God has destined for us. You have made them a
little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor (Psalm 8:5). Jesus
made a dramatic gesture by embracing a child to show his disciples who really
is the greatest in the kingdom of God. What can a little child possibly teach
us about greatness? Children in the ancient world had no rights, position, or
privileges of their own. They were socially at the "bottom of the
rung" and at the service of their parents, much like the household staff
and domestic servants.
What
is the significance of Jesus' gesture? Jesus elevated a little child in the
presence of his disciples by placing the child in a privileged position of
honor. It is customary, even today, to seat the guest of honor at the right
side of the host. Who is the greatest in God's kingdom? The one who is humble
and lowly of heart – who instead of asserting their rights willingly empty
themselves of pride and self-seeking glory by taking the lowly position of a
servant or child. Jesus, himself, is our model. He came not to be served, but
to serve. Paul the Apostle states that Jesus emptied himself and took the form
of a servant. Jesus lowered himself (he whose place is at the right hand of God
the Father) and took on our lowly nature that he might raise us up and clothe
us in his divine nature. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
If we want to be filled with God's life and power, then we need to empty
ourselves of everything which stands in the way - pride, self-seeking glory,
vanity, etc. God wants empty vessels so he can fill them with his own glory,
power, and love. Are we ready to humble ourselves and to serve as Jesus did?
I
wish you all a great week ahead!
Fr. Phil
