Seeking true Greatness

In today’s Gospel, we witness a very human moment between Jesus and His disciples. As they travel together, Jesus reveals to them the deep mystery of His impending suffering, death, and resurrection. But, while Jesus speaks of His sacrificial mission, the disciples are caught up in something very different: they argue among themselves about who is the greatest.

The passage begins with Jesus once again foretelling His passion, death, and resurrection: “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death he will rise” (Mark 9:31).

As we reflect on this, we can see ourselves in the disciples’ shoes. How often do we struggle to understand the deeper mysteries of our faith? How often do we, like them, hesitate to ask questions because we are afraid of the answers or because those answers challenge our understanding of success and greatness?

As we go about our daily lives, we are called to remember this teaching of Jesus. We are called to seek greatness, not as the world defines it, but as Jesus defines it: through service, humility, and love.

Let us examine our hearts and ask ourselves: Where do I seek recognition or status? Who are the “children” in my life—those who are vulnerable or overlooked—whom I can serve with Christ-like love?

And as we receive the Eucharist today, may we be nourished with the grace to follow Jesus more