“Greatness” in our world is defined in many ways these days, from political power, to endless wealth, from instant celebrity recognition to an Olympic gold medal. For many of us, we grapple with middle age, realizing that we will not reach the “greatness” we may have dreamed of in our youth. Wealth, celebrity and power have not come to us.
“Anyone among you who aspires to greatness”
But in today’s gospel, Jesus defines “greatness” very differently, and in a way that is open to each one of us, at any stage of our lives. We see Jesus today, with his closest friends, the twelve apostles. They have been with him and traveled with him everywhere, listening to his teachings, sharing meals with him and watching him heal the sick and work miracles. They have listened as he spoke of his “Kingdom” and they have pledged their loyalty to him.
“Anyone among you who aspires to greatness”
In this gospel we watch a fascinating moment as James and John, two of Jesus’ closest friends, strive for their version of greatness. I always picture these two brothers as high-spirited characters who make Jesus laugh and earned them a nickname from him: Sons of Thunder.
But now Jesus takes his twelve aside and tells them what is in store, the passion and death that await, followed by the resurrection. There is a hush and then the group walks on again slowly, in stunned silence. Just then, the mother of James and John makes her appearance, this doting, indulgent woman who has heard from her boys about the Kingdom. She nudges Jesus to the side and wants to know if they can make a deal: can her boys get a good spot in this kingdom?
She hadn’t listened to what he was really saying, none of the twelve got it either. In the moments after Jesus’ heartfelt disclosure to his most intimate friends, the friends are bickering about who’s going to get the best spot in this kingdom.
“Anyone among you who aspires to greatness”
But Jesus, with great patience and compassion, calls them together and tries to make it as clear as he can: “Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest.” In this topsy-turvy kingdom of his, Jesus tell us that those who serve, who embrace humility and service will be “great.”
And from somewhere deep in the silence of my heart, I feel the longing to serve as we are called. I have a sense that by serving instead of being served, I would be even happier. I would be doing what Jesus is drawing me to: service, and a more intimate relationship with him.
But how do I serve when I spend so much of my life, like James and John, jockeying for the best spot, the recognition, the honors, the “greatness” our world proclaims? Why do I feel like it would be easier to serve in some place other than my daily life?
Dear Jesus, once again I come to you humbled. I live my life as if I was strong and independent and not in need of you. Help me to see what you want and to depend on you. Help me to see the poor in my everyday life. I want to open my eyes to those who are in pain, who take my time, who need my compassion. I want to answer your soft, persistent call for me to serve but it’s so hard to hear it in the clamor of my busy and “successful” life. I can only do this with your help. Be with me. Show me the way. Thank you for this invitation.
Maureen McCann Waldron
The most important part of my life is my family – Jim my husband of 47 years and our two children. Our daughter Katy, a banker here in Omaha, and her husband John, have three wonderful children: Charlotte, Daniel and Elizabeth Grace. Our son Jack and his wife, Ellie, have added to our joy with their sons, Peter and Joseph.
I think family life is an incredible way to find God, even in (or maybe I should say, especially in) the most frustrating or mundane moments.
I am a native of the East Coast after graduating in 1971 from Archbishop John Carroll High School in suburban Philadelphia. I graduated from Creighton University in 1975 with a degree in Journalism and spent most of the next 20 years in corporate public relations in Omaha. I returned to Creighton in the 1990s and completed a master’s degree in Christian Spirituality in 1998.
As our children were growing up, my favorite times were always family dinners at home when the four of us would talk about our days. But now that our kids are gone from home, my husband and I have rediscovered how nice it is to have a quiet dinner together. I also have a special place in my heart for family vacations when the kids were little and four of us were away from home together. It’s a joy to be with my growing family.
Writing a Daily Reflection is always a graced moment, because only with God’s help could I ever write one. I know my own life is hectic, disjointed and imperfect and I know most of us have lives like that. I usually write from that point of view and I always seem to find some sentence, some word in the readings that speaks right to me, in all of my imperfection. I hope that whatever I write is in some way supportive of others.
It’s an incredibly humbling experience to hear from someone who was touched by something I wrote. Whether the note is from someone across campus or across the world, it makes me realize how connected we are all in our longing to grow closer to God.
