First Reading - Job 1:6-22
Gospel - Luke 9:46-50
We all want to be appreciated and acknowledged. What does acknowledgement give us? It gives us pride and importance. The pride and importance show that we are better and greater. Our inner desire for greatness and superiority needs a consideration. The readings of today show that we gain real recognition and acknowledgment by God and our association with Him.
The first reading recounts the story of Job. Job stands as a righteous person before God. He is reckoned righteous because of his faithful association with God. Job acknowledges that all he has is from God. This reflects his humility before God. Job's humility is further allowed by God to be tested by Satan. The test of Job was to acknowledge God even in the midst of misfortune and misery. Job passes the test. He still remains faithful to God. He doesn't question God even after such mishaps of the lose of fortune and his children but acknowledges His wisdom in his life. He still believes that there is no greater fortune for him than remaining connected to God faithfully.
The gospel, on the contrary to the first reading, mentions about the argument of disciples on 'Who is the greatest?' Jesus picks this opportunity to inculcate a real identity of a disciple. He teaches that the real greatness of his disciple lies in relation with him. He enunciates this with an example of a child. He says: "Anyone who welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me...." In the Jewish society, a child, apart from its parents, had no identity or recognition. It means a disciple is to be like a child with no desire for one's identity or recognition but draws identity or recognition from Jesus. The greatness of a disciple lies in fully being identified with Jesus.
Another example of the assertion of the superiority and greatness is seen in the statement of John who reports to Jesus about someone casting out demons in his name and their attempt to stop them. Jesus restates not to assert their superiority over them for they work on their side. It means they are also the followers of Jesus.
Dear friends, It's always our human desire to be better and greater than others. As Christians, the readings teach us, our greatness and importance lies in relation to God. The first is a beautiful example of understanding the importance of remaining connected to God come what may. Job realizes that he is what he is and what he has, all are God's gifts to him and they are insignificant in God's absence. It's our faithfulness to God makes us complete. The disciples, in the gospel, wanted to assert their greatness apart from Jesus and of their own. Jesus, teaches them that a disciple is to have identity of his master. It's in this relation they have their greatness. At times, we also aspire to assert our greatness and glory apart from God, the readings are our reminders that as followers of Christ our greatness is in Christ, through Christ and from Christ.
May God help us become His true followers.
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