How to be great

What do you think being "great" means? Most people think a great singer is someone who sings well. Great athletes play their sports well, and lots of them are famous. A great singer wouldn't have a quiet voice, right? Would a great baseball player be playing in the minors?

In Jesus' view, maybe they would. In this week's Gospel (Mark 9:30-37), Jesus talks about what makes people "great" to God -- and it may not be what makes them great to the world.

You call athletes and musicians great because you see them playing well, and that's not a bad thing. Jesus would be proud of someone who took the talents God gave them and used them well.

But not everyone who's great is famous. That's what the Apostles were arguing about in the Gospel story: They thought that because they were working for Jesus, they were pretty cool people who'd get famous for it. Each of them wanted to be the best, to get the most fame for their work and be close to Jesus in heaven.

Jesus knew that not everyone who hits a baseball well makes it to the majors -- and that's okay. Some people work their whole lives at sports -- or at music, teaching, or helping others in other ways -- and never get famous. To Jesus, really being "great" means working hard at what you love, even if you don't get famous for it.

If you're great at something, God knows it, even if no one else notices. Jesus thinks anyone who quietly helps people out is great!

(9/18/03) [[In-content Ad]]