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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Who is the greatest?

Who is the greatest?

Published Jan 18, 2025 04:20 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gird your loins

Gospel • Matthew 18:1-5, 10

Bible scholars note that Matthew had gathered Jesus’ teachings in five discourses or “books,” probably after the “five books” of Moses or the Pentateuch. 


The fourth book is often called the “Church Order” discourse, but rather than considerations usually connected with Church order, such as various offices in the Church and the duties of each, it deals principally with the relations that must reign among the members of the community.


The discourse opens with the disciples’ question of who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. This is not the Kingdom in its fullness in God’s glory, but has to do with the ranks in the community where the Kingdom is manifested in history. 


Greatness then is manifested in issues in the discourse: the care of the little ones, the search of members who stray from the community, the correction and forgiveness of members who sin.


In answer to the disciples’ question of who is the greatest, Jesus holds up a child as a model for them. 


This is not because of any supposed innocence, though children are indeed simple and are without malice. Rather it is because of their complete dependence on, and trust in, their parents.


In Israel, as in other cultures, children were loved and treasured. Sons, especially, were wanted to perpetuate the family line and culture, and preserve the ancestral inheritance. 


During their early years, the children were left to the care of their mothers, and as boys grew up to manhood, they were usually entrusted to their fathers. The little children spent their time playing in the streets or squares, singing and dancing, and playing with their toys especially made of clay. Except in time of war, hunger, and disease, there was much to enjoy in childhood. 


The feast of the Sto. Niño invites us to love and protect the niños and the niñas in our midst. More importantly, we are challenged to strive after humility that makes us serve our brothers in the Church. 


The greatest is one who considers himself least, and the least is one with the heart of a child. Speaking of greatness, the greatest man who ever lived is without doubt the Lord Jesus Christ whose childhood we celebrate today. 
Lyle C. Rollings III writes of this Greatest Man in History: 


“He had no servants, yet they called him Master. Had no degree, yet they called him Teacher. 


He had no medicines, yet they called him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared him. 


He won no military battles, yet he conquered the world. He did not live in a castle, yet they called him Lord. 


He ruled no nations, yet they called him King. He committed no crime, yet they crucified him. 


He was buried in a tomb, yet he lives today.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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