Work's kept me busy for the last couple of days, so sorry for my late post. Today's quote is from Mark 10:
“You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
I have to ask, what did Jesus mean by "great"? Whoever wants to be great among you... If we know anything about Jesus, we know he didn't mean "popular". I also don't think he meant "saved" because Jesus paid the perfect price and therefore we cannot get into heavy by our works alone.
What makes a person great? Not popular, not famous, but great? Martin Luther King, Jr., Gandhi, Einstein, Nelson Mandela, Mozart, Mother Theresa, Socrates were all great for one reason or another. They took great risks and did great things for other people whether it be freeing them, caring for their bodies, or offering their talents and gifts.
But I know people who are greater than these -- local heroes in my life and community who regularly offer their time and hearts in service of other people. A big hero in my world is a woman named Pat, who feeds the hungry every week, who regularly walks people through death, offering them kindness, comfort, love and strength. She knows -- and demonstrates -- that we are all connected, and that we are called to care for one another. And that the more we raise up others in this life, the more we are lifted up in love and spirit.
Knowing the love of my friends and community is a little bit of heaven. And in order to receive love, we must offer love and service to those around us.
“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”
Pericles
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