GOSPEL POWER l SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 l MONDAY

26th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Lk 9:46-50 46An argument arose among the disciples as to which one of them was  the greatest. 47But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little  child and put it by his side, 48and said to them, “Whoever welcomes  this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me  welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the  greatest.” 49John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons  in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow  with us.” 50But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him; for whoever is  not against you is for you.” 

Jesus corrects his disciples’ worldly concern with  greatness by defining greatness from the perspective of  the Kingdom of heaven, which is all about God’s paternity  and loving providence. From this perspective, greatness has nothing  to do with the adult striving for self-sufficiency and the ambitious  pursuit of one’s personal projects. Rather, it has to do with remaining a  dependent child, open to divine guidance in all matters. If the disciples  can accept childlikeness as the true manifestation of greatness, then  they can accept Jesus and his way of perfect obedience, and accept  also the heavenly Father, whose trustworthiness is beyond doubt.

 Lord Jesus, form our hearts in childlikeness. Amen