25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr.B - Christian “Greatness”.

Ref. Wis 2:12, 17-20; Mk 9:30-37  9-21/22-24 Dcn. Bill Kenney

     A few years back we took a trip out to South Dakota’s awesome Mt. Rushmore. Among the four great presidents could be a fifth head - that of Gutzon Borglum, the great sculptor of that mountain.  You might say he was a mountain G.O.A.T. as in, the “Greatest Of All Time”. We all identify GOATs among sports legends, historical world leaders, unusually gifted performers of various skills and talents. We give out awards with great fanfare for such accomplished people and in some cases erect monuments and museums to acknowledge their “greatness”.

       In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus repeats his message to the Apostles of his upcoming passion, death, and resurrection.  It is a message of redemption for all of mankind’s salvation, yet it was clouded and lost by their pride to determine “who was the greatest” among themselves. They couldn’t grasp the gravity and meaning of his message, even with its plain and direct words.

      Can you imagine the Apostles arguing over who’s the greatest amongst themselves? After all the sermons of peace, humility, self-sacrifice, and love for others, even enemies, why would they consider such recognition? Possibly because they acquired new-found popularity throughout their travels with Jesus, the Peter-proclaimed “Christ”, the Son of God, a preacher and miracle worker. They believed, as his Apostles, they too had a claim to his fame. But who was the greatest? They vied for position as the GOAT.

     The Apostles argue. Their thoughts, words, and actions, are typical of human nature. We can always count on the Apostles to demonstrate and point out how we, in our weakness to sin, can fall into such traps. Do we downplay the success of others to promote our own “greatness”?       

      Jesus quickly realizes his Apostles’ shortcomings. He rebukes their pride and vain-glory.  “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” In his usual parable lesson approach, Jesus embraces a child and relates the service given to receive a simple child of God: “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.” To receive such a child is to perform a charitable act, without hope of earthly reward. This is the ideal of discipleship: joyful service. St. Martin de Porres said, “If we wish to serve God and love our neighbor well, we must manifest our joy in the service we render to Him and them.”

      Jesus’ second passion prediction teaches the Apostles that true greatness takes the form of the cross. Jesus accomplishes God’s victory over sin and death not by acquiring fame, prestige, wealth, or worldly power, but by handing himself over, as in our reading from Wisdom, to a “shameful death” on a cross. He is a suffering servant and a failure in the eyes of the world.

     For Christians, we achieve greatness by imitating Christ crucified who willingly and wholeheartedly gave his life in loving sacrifice for us. What the world might consider failure or foolishness such as loving and forgiving one’s enemies, giving alms, receiving Holy Eucharist at Mass each week, setting aside time for daily prayer and spiritual reading, trying to live the corporal and spiritual works of mercy or simply enduring daily trials and struggles with patience and trust — all of this is, in God’s eyes, a success, a victory, because it brings us to the foot of the cross, a monument not only of suffering and death, but a museum where true life and an abundance of grace are to be found. 

     May God’s Word this week challenge us to reevaluate our own understanding of greatness and failure as a Christian. What are some situations in my life that bring me to the foot of Jesus’ cross? Do I regularly confess my sins? What crosses of physical pain or mental anxiety or addictions do I offer up at the foot of the cross? And how might I see these, from the perspective of the Gospel, as opportunities to participate in Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection? Strengthened by our reception of the sacraments, let us ask for the grace to embrace Jesus’ cross in our own lives. May we who share in His sufferings, likewise share in His victory, His greatness, for our salvation and for the glory of God.