The one who is considered the least among you is actually the greatest. It had been a tough day for the disciples. Not only had they failed to heal a boy possessed by a demon (the immediate preceding episode [vv. 14-29]), they also were too slow to understand the mystery that surrounded the identity and mission of Jesus (the first portion of today’s Gospel reading). Since they were afraid to ask Jesus to elaborate on this idea of his impending arrest and persecution (perhaps they were too embarrassed to ask), they had to do something to shift the conversation to something less frightening. They decided to engage in some idle, harmless talk. It was the perfect means of putting behind them the somewhat embarrassing events of the day. Jesus, who was within earshot, found himself drawn to one particular discussion that he thought was quite interesting: the disciples arguing on who amongst them was the greatest. For a people who were gathered as disciples around one master, it was only natural that once in a while a conversation did arise as to who was the greatest (or closest to the master). It is a natural consequence of bringing together various personalities. It was even more likely that a nascent group such as the one led by Jesus be inclined to entertain such ideas owing to the fact that it was growing and would sooner or later be in need of leaders. And this particular group did not lack contestants. Peter might have said he deserved to be looked upon as the greatest because he has always acted as the group’s spokesperson. Moreover, it was he who bailed them out when he professed Jesus to be the Christ of God. James or John might also have quipped that one of them deserved the slot because they were among the three who always accompanied Jesus on some of his missions when he needed only a handful of them (the most recent one being the time when Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter). Levi might have said he was the greatest because Jesus had had supper in his house. Judas might have contributed saying he was the greatest because he was entrusted with the savings of the group. Philip and Andrew might also have said it was they because they could speak Greek. It was a discussion that might have gone on without end had Jesus not stepped in to teach them a thing or two about real greatness. I don’t think Jesus had a problem with the twelve wanting to outdo one another in greatness. The whole point of following Jesus is the attainment of greatness. Jesus himself encourages us to strive to be great in the kingdom. However, Jesus had a problem with what he perceived to be the disciples’ concept or understanding of greatness. The disciples might have thought of greatness in terms of being seen as closest to Jesus or being seen to be above the others (lording it over them [cf. Matthew 20:25]). They might have thought that greatness comes with some perks or privileges. Such an understanding often leads to unhealthy competition that ends in a disintegration of a group. This was in stark contrast to the greatness for which Jesus was advocating. The greatness which Jesus was encouraging those who wanted to belong to the kingdom to embody is the one that results from serving others. He/she who is great is the one who gives his/her life for others, since greatness is all about giving and nurturing life. The men and women who, generation after generation, have been considered great are those who lived their lives for others. Mother Theresa of our times is considered great because of the love and care that she showed her poor brothers and sisters. When she bent down to pick up those who were lying sick in the ditches of Calcutta, she was not motivated by any thought other than to bring them into the house and literally serve them. She became their servant- feeding them and cleaning their wounds. In addition, true greatness lies in one’s disposition before God and others. He/she who is the greatest is the one who comes last in consideration, he/she who might even be “invisible” to others. The greatest is the one who does not compete for positions, he/she who is contented with where he/she is as well as what he/she has. The greatest is the one who realizes his/her weakness and vulnerability before God and his/her fellows and then decides to stay on her/his side of the fence. Such an individual never picks fights or quarrels, never steps on others’ toes, and is quick to apologize and ask for forgiveness when he/she is in the wrong because he/she recognizes his/her need to be forgiven.