With Jesus talking about being delivered into the hands of men, being put to death and rising again, the disciples can be forgiven for arguing about who is the greatest. They had for so long been on the lookout for the Messiah and Jesus’ words must have stirred up visions of greatness for them.

But somehow deep down within themselves they must have known that his message was not so much about personal glory. When he asked them what they were arguing about on the road, they did not answer.

He is patient with them. As in the gospel readings of the last few weeks, he sits down, calls the disciples to him and explains to them very gently what it means to be great, what it means to be first.

At this time when his own mission seems to be clear in his mind he realises that his disciples do not yet understand. As the calypsonian Chalkdust once sang: “They eh get the message as yet.” So he teaches them.

While meditating on this reading, I thought about people I know who complain at times about being unable to find others at their workplaces with whom they can share similar ideas and work together towards some common goal.

They are unable to find people willing to work at a high level of competence. This can happen as well in our parish communities and neighbourhoods. It is easy when we are in those situations to give up all together or to try to do it alone.

People involved in any new movement, political or social organisation must also at some point have the same experience. In today’s gospel Jesus advises that we make ourselves last and make ourselves servants of all.

He himself is a humble leader, who when he recognises that his disciples are not reading from the same page he is reading from, is willing to teach them, willing to serve them and continue on the journey with them.

He does not try to go it alone on the journey, neither does he give up. Instead he teaches about welcoming “one of these little children” in his name.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the good teachers you have sent us along the way: teachers who have been patient and gentle with us,
who have been willing to sit down with us and teach us deep lessons about life;
teachers who have been honest with us,
 pointing out that we will have to come face to face with opposition
in all that we attempt to do.

Lord, we pray for all those who like you have a clear vision of what they are commissioned to do in this life.
We pray especially for those willing to be delivered into the hands of men, in other to build up their communities.
Give them the grace to serve others, and help them to understand that it is in welcoming the little ones that you Lord will be made welcome into our communities.

Forgive us Lord, for the times when we felt we were greater than others.
We felt that we were the only ones who had all the right answers and methods,
We refused to be open to the ideas and suggestions of others.
Forgive us too for the times when we gave up on a good idea, or a good project because we felt that there was no one with whom we could work.

Lord, we feel so discouraged at times by the absence of leaders who are good examples, leaders who are willing to serve and if need be to make themselves last.
Lord, we pray that our country will foster true leadership.
Send your Holy Spirit to be among us so that service to others will be our guide

Helena Allum is a teacher at Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive and a free-lance writer with the Catholic News