In the first reading today, the Lord prophesizes over Jerusalem and promises great blessing and prosperity to His people. He declares Jerusalem “the faithful city”, although the people of Jerusalem had been anything but faithful. They had hardened their hearts against God through their disobedience. What then qualified them to receive God’s blessing and be called “holy”? It was simply the nature of God. He rescues them from their enemies, from themselves and thrusts His greatness upon them. They are then, no longer marked by their disobedience, but marked by the holiness and greatness of God. In today’s Gospel too, the disciples struggle with a broken desire for greatness; they argue about “which of them was the greatest”. Jesus presents them with the symbol of a child and reveals what true greatness is. As children of THE perfect parent, our greatness is completely a product of the Father. He never withholds his greatness from us but forgives us and calls us too into His glory.

Prayer: Abba Father, clothe us in Your holiness and greatness so that we may die to ourselves and be open to more of you. Amen.