The greatest in the kingdom

JESUS and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but [Jesus] 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 he 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 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.”

REFLECTION DISCUSSING AMONG THEMSELVES…

WHO WAS THE GREATEST. The Gospel is the second prediction of Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection. It follows the same pattern as the first one (Mk 8:27-33; cf Gospel and reflection for February 16).

The evangelist presents the disciples as totally lacking in understanding. While Jesus is talking about his coming passion and death, the disciples are discussing among themselves who is the greatest.

Jesus patiently instructs the Twelve on true greatness: one who wishes to be first must be the last of all and the servant of all. He then takes a child, presenting this non-person in Jewish society as the embodiment of greatness in God’s Kingdom. The childlike qualities of simplicity and welcoming attitude identify a great disciple.

True greatness is manifested in one’s willingness to serve the helpless and the marginalized.