The First Shall Be Last

25^th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 9/19/2021

Mark 9: 30 – 37

 

 

Jesus makes a very straightforward point:  “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”

And then, in order to highlight his point, he takes a small child and says that whoever receives one such as this receives Him – and  the One who sent Him.

 

Think about that for a moment.  A child.  Servant?  When I hear Jesus’ lesson I am thinking of someone who makes a definite choice to be there for others, to do for others, to help others.  Does that sound like something a child would do?  Not really.

 

And as I prayed on this I thought of the many times when my children were young, and now my grandchildren.  So often the stresses, the worries, the concerns, the anguish of the day simply melt away when you place your arms around that child – like Jesus did – and that baby grabs a hold of your finger; the toddler places a head on your shoulder; the little child looks up at you and smiles.  And all is right with the world.

 

How is that little one being a servant?   He or she is not doing anything to solve your problems; not sharing words of wisdom to help you through the situation; not taking charge and helping you.  Servant?  Hardly seems like it.

 

Yet, that child’s innocence and trusting and inherent goodness – truly gifts from God – do more than any words or deeds in bringing one to a sense of the divine and the true peace and true joy that only the divine can give. 

 

The greatest servant is the one who is seemingly so powerless. 

 

And the last shall be first.

 

“Call Me Ishmael”