Sunday Reflections | 25th Sunday in Ordinary Times

By SIDTP SoCom

Published on September 22, 2024

Jesus and his disciples began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it.

He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, Jesus began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”

Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

As Jesus travels through Galilee with His disciples, He keeps their journey private. Why might Jesus want to avoid drawing attention at this time? During this journey, He shares something deeply important with His disciples: “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him. Three days after his death, the Son of Man will rise.” How do you think the disciples felt upon hearing this? Why do you think they didn’t ask Jesus for more clarification, even though they didn’t understand?

Once they arrive in Capernaum and are alone in a house, Jesus asks them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” Why do you think the disciples were silent in response? What were they actually arguing about? They had been discussing among themselves who was the greatest. How does this argument reflect their understanding of Jesus’ teachings?

Jesus then sits down with the Twelve and offers a surprising perspective on greatness: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” What does this mean for our understanding of leadership and success? How does this teaching challenge our usual views on what it means to be great?

To illustrate His point, Jesus takes a child, places the child in their midst, and embraces the child. Why does Jesus choose a child to make His point? How does welcoming a child, who was not highly valued in society, relate to receiving Jesus and, by extension, God? Jesus says, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” What does this reveal about how we should treat those who are often overlooked or undervalued?

As we reflect on this passage, consider how we view greatness and leadership in our own lives. Are we focused on status and power, or are we open to serving others humbly? How can we apply Jesus’ teaching about true greatness and service in our daily interactions and choices? This passage invites us to rethink what it means to be truly great in the eyes of Jesus and to embrace a life of humility and service.