The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Sirach 2:1-11
Psalm 37:3-4,18-19,27-28,39-40
Mark 9:30-37

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's gospel we hear how the disciples had been arguing about whom among them was the greatest. What a shock it must have been to them to learn from their master that they had it all wrong. "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." Jesus told them. I can just imagine how some of their heads must have dropped as they backed away realizing that the things they had been doing to be "the greatest" were completely wrong.

Who is the greatest among us today? Movie stars, politicians, musicians, and professional athletes? Definitely not. The world would call them the greatest, but our Lord would certainly disagree. The greatest are those who dedicate their lives in service to the poor, some barely making a living themselves. Those who give willingly of themselves and their wealth for those who cannot help themselves: these are among our Lord's greatest. Many of today's greatest will never be known outside the small circle where they minister tirelessly day after day. Others will become saints recognized by the church for the good the Lord did through them.

Find those in your community who are truly great and thank them personally for what they do. Pray for them and that we may realize what true greatness is in God's eyes.

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

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