Thoughts for the Day

An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest. But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side, and said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Ambition can be healthy. We see many people who carry out long-distance walks or cycle hundreds of miles, for instance, to raise money for a charity in memory of a loved one. They aim to raise as much as they can for their cause, and their ambition knows no end. They want to end a certain disease perhaps or stop the number of those committing suicide, and all of these are laudable.

But what of personal ambition, that seeks to earn more money for oneself, or gain more followers on twitter, or beat all opposition to a sporting title by taking performance enhancing drugs? This is unhealthy ambition surely, and while we may not be guilty of any of these extravagant suggestions, we need to look at the differences between what is healthy ambition and what is unhealthy in our own life.

Jesus knows his disciples are fighting 'for the top job', as it were. Perhaps this happened because Jesus took only three disciples up the mountain when he was to meet with Elijah and Moses, and when God declared him as His Son. Jesus silently places a small child in front of them for in the Roman and Jewish world, they held little importance until they came of age. A little child does not seek respect, reputation, or prominence in the world, they do want love and Jesus gives them that and the place of honour.

Almighty God,
may we seek just to be Your child,
not looking for personal ambition in the world
or in the Church,
but solely to do Your work
wherever You have placed us.
May we remember that You
call each of us in different ways
and for different tasks.
However humble our place
may we seek to honour
Your confidence in us
and carry out Your work
with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.