September 22nd, 2024 - Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The way we are recognized as being great in our culture is to be crowned #1: the most important, the most powerful, the most popular, and the most successful.  In light of this cultural obsession to be #1, Jesus’ gospel message today is so different and telling. His message about being great is to remain the last of all and the servant of all. Jesus’ pitch to his disciples is to do for others and humbly give ourselves to others for their benefit, to make their lives better.  Being the last one of all and the servant of all means we do not seek the spotlight, the fanfare, or the headlines in life. It means we quietly do what we can to anticipate the needs of others, and we work to build up the Church in unity and charity instead of wounding it in division and sin.