We are to be of a childlike mindset before God.

Today, there is a struggle, competition, and rivalry not only in sports but also in all areas of production and management, and often in an improper, even dishonest way. Even in church affairs, we encounter this unhealthy, even sinful, behavior. And so it happens that the brother of a brother, the friend of a friend, and the subordinate of superior slander for the sole purpose of advancing higher, getting ahead, owning more, receiving higher rewards, of ding a more comfortable life… The uncritical person often overestimates himself and desires what not only does not belong to him but also what he does not have and cannot afford. This is a severe problem that Luke talks about in today’s Gospel.

“The thought crossed their minds as to which of them was the greater” (Lk 9:46).

The apostles are in Jesus’ school. He called and chose them from among many, and often in different ways. They know that their mission is to proclaim the teachings of the Lord Jesus. They have been given a prominent position, a distinction, an honor. Perhaps because they are not yet well versed in the teachings of the Lord Jesus, but surely also so that their wrongdoing may be a lesson and a warning to us, too, from Jesus. Therefore, he allows the apostles an unhealthy desire to be somebody, that is, ambition and jealousy. They wonder who is first among them. Peter thinks: will it be me? For the Lord Jesus shows His confidence in me and puts me at the head of the apostles. John, to whom the Lord shows more love than the other apostles, also thinks: Will it be me? Each of them saw his virtues, abilities, and “I”! They have forgotten that the one who chose them, in whose school they are, is God, who sees into men’s hearts; he knows their minds. The Lord Jesus knows their thoughts; He knows their dialogues with each other on this subject. He does not blame them for anything but will teach them a lesson by a beautiful example. Jesus puts one of the children who were nearby in front of the apostles and illustrates where true greatness, the first place they are arguing about, lies. The Lord Jesus will show it to them in humility: ‘For he who is least among you is great’ (Lk 9:48). He pointed to the child: innocent, pure, full of love…

This practical lesson belongs not only to the apostles but also to us. It is also true for us today that the first in the Church is the one who knows how to humble himself without pretense, how to serve others humbly, and how to realize that he is totally and entirely dependent on God. He realizes that all his virtues and gifts are not his own but gifts given to him by God. And this can only be proved by faith. Let us look around us, and often, in the odd man, the sick, and the less educated, we find an example, a model, and an encouragement. We are also to see Jesus in them. We can say that this is a real lesson in jealousy, and let us admit that not only to the apostles but also to us. John misunderstood, and his words emphasized even more what Jesus wanted. John tells us that a Jewish magician, seeing what Jesus was doing, tried to cast out the devil in Jesus’ name. This did not please the apostles, for he was not one of the Twelve; he did not walk with them, so they objected to his behavior. Here, too, their jealousy of the immature apostles was manifested. The Lord Jesus puts this misconduct of theirs in the right way. And here He instructs them as a good teacher and tells them: “Do not hinder him, for he who is not against you is for you.” (Lk. 9:51). That is, if the apostles had had a deeper faith, they would have known that every good, even if it arises outside of them, that is, outside of Christianity, is not directed against the Lord Jesus, but is with him.

We realize that much good is also outside the Church. That is why we see that the leadership of the Church, the Holy Father, and the episcopal conferences worldwide recognize this good and cooperate with it, even though they are often ideological enemies, and this is precisely under the influence of today’s Gospel.

Since the Second Vatican Council, the Church has been working with everyone concerned about social progress and peace in the world. The Church recognizes that all that is good in the world is an enrichment for us, and so she fulfills the principles of the Kingdom of God on earth. Even in our circumstances, the Church is condemned by many believers for collaborating, for dialogizing with those who oppose it. We know that in history it happened that even Saul did not want to accept Ananias into the Church in Damascus when he spoke in a vision to the Lord Jesus: “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. He also has power from the high priests to bind up all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him: “Only go, for I have chosen him to be a vessel to carry My name to the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:13-15). We know that this was fulfilled in the letter.

May there be healthy competition among us as well. May we desire values, but never sinfully. Let us, therefore, put aside ambition and jealousy!