Monday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Lk 9:46-50
September 26, 2022 | Monday
One day, the disciples were arguing about which of them was the most important. But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he took a little child and stood him by his side. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me. And listen: the one who is found to be the least among you all, is the one who is the greatest.” Then John spoke up, “Master, we saw someone who drives out demons by calling upon your name, and we tried to forbid him, because he doesn’t follow you with us.” But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him. He who is not against you is for you.”
Today’s Reflection:
An argument arose in Jesus’ disciples today as to who among them was the greatest; the Lord replied that the least among all is the greatest. Our temptations might be the same as those of the disciples today which reflects our gospel: careerism and exclusivism. These two tendencies clash with the message contrasting Christ’s humility and universality.
Against these two temptations, let us remember that the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and that he gave his life as a ransom for many (cf. Mt. 20, 28). God’s way is the way of humility and service. The greatest is the one who puts himself at the service of others. While Jesus does not stifle their desire for greatness, he redirects it into the logic of serving, even to the least, the children, those who come last and may be lost. Whoever is small or weak is the one to be loved and protected. We ask ourselves: Following the humble ways of the Lord, how can I serve the people around me today? /Vulnerasti, 2022
