The Greatest Reimagined - Missionary Commentary for Sunday, November 5

Readings for the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Malachi 1:14b—2:2b, 8-10
Psalm 131:1, 2, 3
1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13
Matthew 23:1-12

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What does it mean to be “the greatest?” Who comes to mind? 

Sports reporters refer to athletes as “GOAT,” or ‘greatest of all time.” Some call Simone Biles the GOAT for gymnastics or Lionel Messi for soccer. Sometimes we think of famous scientists – like Albert Einstein – as the greatest. Or people with great wealth. Youth ministers will encourage young people to “be great” meaning to be fully alive as their authentic self. 

These definitions of “the greatest” are much different than what Saint Matthew is talking about in today’s gospel. The “greatest” in his time and culture referred to the man who had authority in their society. These were the recognized leaders of the community that could tell you what to do and were given “seats of honor.”
 
Jesus recognized that these men – only men had positions of authority then – should be obeyed because they “have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.” However, Jesus taught the people and his disciples not to follow their example. For Jesus, authority begins with belief in our “one Father in heaven” with him as “the Christ” and ends in humble service.
 
Therefore, practice what you preach. Help people carry their burdens and be prudent in asking more of them. Shun honors and all the trappings of honor. 

Saint Teresa of Calcutta, known as Mother Teresa, is a great example. Born in Skopje (1910), the capital of Macedonia, she joined the Sisters of Loreto at 18, did her novitiate in India and taught in eastern Calcutta. She loved teaching but felt called to serve the poor. Her superiors gave her permission to leave the school (1946) to serve the poor and in 1950, at 40, she founded the Missionaries of Charity. She embodies humble service and “no partiality,” being with the sick, poor, and abandoned people of Calcutta and moving freely, and often prophetically, among heads of state and religious authorities.

Missioners take these readings to heart. They are sent to be with and for a people. As they befriend people, they are to show no partiality. They come to listen deeply to the many ways the Spirit is at work among them. Metaphorically, they hold women and men, mothers and fathers and their children, “on their lap.” Not as some “savior” or solution to all their problems, but just as one who cares about their growth, their integral human flourishing. 

Notes on the Sunday Readings

First Reading
The prophet Malachi instructs priests to listen, “lay it to heart,” give glory to God’s name, and to show no partiality. 

Psalm 
The psalmist sings a tender image of peace and intimacy with the Lord, like a young child resting on their mother’s lap.

Second Reading
Saint Paul instructs the Thessalonians in how to do ministry and mission – to be gentle like a “nursing mother” caring for her children. 

Gospel
Jesus is on mission in Jerusalem where his “earthly” mission ends. According to Saint Matthew, Jesus does a lot between the time he arrives in Jerusalem and his arrest. He confronts the religious authorities, beginning with the cleansing of the temple where he heals the blind and the lame. He teaches through parables, corrects misunderstandings, and prophesizes the end of time. Jesus eats his last supper with his disciples. At one point, in this whirlwind of activity, he speaks to the crowds and his disciples on how they should relate to the “scribes and the Pharisees.” Observe what they tell you but lead differently, what one commentary called a “egalitarian communal leadership.” We have one Father in heaven, we are brothers and sisters, and Jesus is our only master. We are to be a community of humble servants. “The greatest among you must be your servant.” 

Notes and Commentary by Don McCrabb, D. Min 
Executive Director of the U.S. Catholic Mission Association

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