Luke 9:46-50 NRSVue
46An argument arose among them concerning which one of them was the greatest. 47But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side 48and said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me, for the least among all of you is the greatest.”
49John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he does not follow with us.” 50But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”
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Some thoughts on this scripture
Reflection
Jesus turns everything on its head. For him the Kingdom of God is the only absolute value.
The creative power of the Holy Spirit is active in every person, even in those who belong to no Christian denomination. Can I rejoice in that?
‘In the evening of life we will be examined in love’ (Saint John of the Cross).
Reflection
What makes a person great? Is it power, or wealth, or skills, or beauty, or giftedness of one kind or another? In the Kingdom of God greatness is judged by one’s capacity to serve others. So it is the little people of the earth, those who serve the rest of us, who turn out to be the greatest! Will I be considered great in God’s Kingdom?