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Greatness, True (Mt. 18:1-9)

'At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.   “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of things that cause sin! Such things must come, but woe to the one through whom they come! If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into fiery Gehenna (Mt. 18:1-9).’

The disciples did not yet fully understand what Jesus was trying to teach them.  Jesus points out that humility is the key to greatness.  Humility allows us to be dependent on God as a child is dependent on its parents.  We must exhibit self-restraint so that we do not tend towards arrogance.  It is the lack of humility that leads to rebellion against God.  True greatness derives from humility.

Spiritual leaders who are focused on their positions of authority and neglect the needs of the community, thereby allowing members to fall into sin, will be severely punished.  We have been given moral freedom by God and that freedom should not be used to commit sin or to cause others to sin.  We must not enter into a life of sin with the full assent of our will.  We have the spiritual capacity to resist sin, even though we may suffer through trials in the process.  

Almighty God, we ask that our words, attitudes and actions never lead anyone to do what is sinful.  Help us to accept the discipline of your yoke as you teach us to be humble and to never use any position of authority given to us as an occasion for moral failing.  This we pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen!

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References:

Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.

Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.

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