Mark 9:33-37 NRSVue
33Then they came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” 36Then he took a little child and put it among them, and taking it in his arms he said to them, 37“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”
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Some thoughts on this scripture
Reflection
/Who is the greatest? Jesus took a child/. Not so much a symbol of innocence,
as someone without legal status and therefore helpless. The child cannot
promise to repay favours, or use influence for you. Children do not play for
power. They play out of joy.
Reflection
I hear you, Lord. Power remains a temptation for me. But I started life
powerless, and am likely to end it that way. Direct my heart to the cleaner
joys, that children can teach me.
Reflection
This is a call to a life of radical humility and service, following the
pattern of Jesus' own life. How do I hear his call to be /last and servant of
all?/ Does it challenge me? Does it leave me feeling insecure? Do I feel I'm
at the bottom of the heap anyway? Can I hear the tender challenge of Jesus
calling me to join him in his way of living?