TWENTY FIFTH ORDINARY SUNDAY OF THE YEAR B!
(Wis 2:12, 17-20; Jas 3; 16-4:3; Mk 9: 30-37)
"He That Is Down Needs Fear No Fall" is a poem by John Bunyan
John Bunyan, a 17th-century English Baptist preacher. He highlights in the poem the virtues of humility and contentment, echoing the religious teachings which valued simplicity and a focus on spiritual growth over worldly possessions He expresses that those who maintain a humble disposition are shielded from pride and the fear of falling and lead us to divine guidance and happiness. His poem reads thus:
He that is down needs fear, no fall,
He that is low, no pride.
He that is humble ever shall
Have God to be his guide.
I am content with what I have,
Little be it or much;
And, Lord, contentment still I crave
Because Thou savest such.
Fulness to such a burden is
That go in pilgrimage.
Here, little and hereafter bliss
Is best from all to age.
In this poem, he explains that a person who occupies the lowest position in life can not fall any further and therefore has no fear of falling, whereas the great constantly fear the possibility of their downfall. The poem contrasts the burdens of excessive wealth with the benefits of living a simple life on a pilgrimage towards spiritual fulfillment. It suggests that while fullness can weigh heavily upon individuals, contentment and humility lead to eternal happiness.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples that true greatness comes from serving others, especially those who are least important. He invites us to reflect on the values of humility and servanthood. He instructs His disciples that they must resist worldly ambition and honour to serve Him more faithfully. Jesus measures our relationship with him by how willing we are to reconcile with those who have hurt us. The message of Jesus is to reawaken the child within us and regain the lost innocence. He uses a child as an example, showing that those who are willing to be last and serve others are truly great in God's eyes. Jesus teaches his disciples that true greatness comes not from seeking power or status but from humility and service.
True greatness is not measured by what we achieve but by what we surrender. When we surrender our need for power, status, and recognition, we create space for God's greatness to shine through us.
Ambition is the themes of today. And our teaching from Christ today seems contradictory. We are told that the disciples had been arguing over who was the greatest. Jesus says, "If anyone wants to be the first, they must make themselves last of all." The message doesn't fit with the way we see the world work.
Our society tells us that being right, being first, being the best is all important. But society is wrong. There is nothing good or important about being first, however there is only one thing bad about being right, or first or best, and that one thing is doing something just to be right or just to be the best or just to be the first.
So what are we supposed to do? We are called to be gentle and are called to endure. We are called to bring peace to conflict. As James tells us, the seeds of the peace maker will bear fruit in holiness. Jesus tells us to be the servant of all. It's in our nature to put ourselves first. Christ tells us not to. He tells us to put others first. He shows us a small child as an example. Put them first, serve them, and you are serving Him.
There is a huge difference between doing your best and being best. Being the best student, the best driver, the best mum, the best doctor, the best anything you can be is good, it's holy and it will bear fruit. Being better than anyone else is pointless and will only lead to conflict. Use your skills for others; welcome their needs and their vulnerabilities. Help them as you would help a child. Welcome them with open arms. You will be welcoming Christ.
Following our lord is not easy. He never promised it would be. Selflessness is not in our nature. Pride and greed are. If you are to be a follower of Christ, you need to put your human nature last to enable you to put your spiritual nature first. Work hard, but always for others, strive to do your best, but resist the urge just to be the best, if you are the best thank God that you are able to serve so well.
A call to be selfless is a hard one. It's one we will all find difficult, and without prayer and a relationship with a loving God, we may find impossible. But we have a loving God, one who is selfless, who died for us, who forgives us, and is ready to help us if just ask in prayer for help. Please pray about conflicts in your life, pray for help in bringing peace, and pray that you may be a seed of the peacemakers and bring all huge harvests of holiness.
Let us embrace the humility of servanthood and discover the true meaning of greatness in the eyes of God. May this reflection inspire you to embrace the values of humility and servanthood!
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