Almost everyone
nowadays wants to be the number one, wants to be the greatest among one's
peers; first in receiving attention from his parents; first in the eyes of his
crush. In school, parents would fight tooth and nail just so their children
would be ranked as the first among his classmates. The competition to be the
best is so tight that others thought of introducing another category than good,
better and best. That is, to be better than the best.
What is there in
being the best and the greatest? To be the best and the greatest means you are
most efficient in your field, since you have fulfilled what is required of you
better than others. You are able to deliver results since you have the
necessary skills, talents, and resources required. But in one's desire to be the
best, some would neglect the basics; some would forget about being good. They
begin to engage with fraudulent deeds, like cheating and corrupt practices just so they could make their way to the top. Though they may be the best (even
better the best), they would never be good enough.
After Jesus
revealed the glorious aspect of His mission through His transfiguration, and
the necessity to realize it by proceeding to Jerusalem, the disciples began to
argue who among them is the greatest (Lk 9:46-50). Probably, they wanted to be
the first among the disciples who would share the glory of Jesus which some of
them had witnessed at Mt. Tabor. They could have been thrilled by the fact that
Jesus' mission is about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem, and so, maybe, they
anticipated a regal exaltation of the Son of Man. They would like, not only to
participate, but also to take the front seat when Jesus would be glorified. As
they rub elbows with the powerful and glorious, they thought that that would
make them glorious too. Jesus however, reminded them of the true source of
greatness, that is, the reception of Jesus in one's life. Not the glorious and
regal Jesus, but the humble and meek one. One who is vulnerable as a child.
Jesus can be found among the people whom He serves; the children, the poor, the
sick, the lonely, etc. It is through them that we can encounter Jesus. And in
serving them, as Jesus does, we too can attain the glory that Jesus enjoys as
He fulfilled His mission. As one imitates Jesus in service, doing things in his
name, God is made present in his heart. The presence of God can truly make us the
best and greatest.
We may not be
with Jesus physically, like the disciples thousands of years ago, but as we do
things in His name today, we can do best and great things, for we have received
Jesus in our hearts. We are with Jesus and that is good enough.
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