Saturday, September 28 (15), 2024
1Cor. 4:1-5; Mt. 23:1-12

“The greatest among you shall be your servant” [Mt. 23:11].  According to this word of God, greatness is measured not by origin, neither by power, nor by personal talents and achievements, but by the ability of doing good to others.  The more intensive and broad are your efforts in doing good, the greater you are.

Consider an example of a family.  The person who takes charge of the family, becoming the head of the entire household, has to care about all family members, viewing it as his duty and honor to comfort everyone, to do good to all.  Exactly in the same manner, someone who seeks a primary role in a Christian society or community has to take on a  job of serving all those who happen to be around him. 

Thus, it is much more reasonable to forget greatness and primary roles altogether, and commit your heart to serving your neighbors, to doing them good: then you will be really great in the eyes of the Lord, and maybe even in the eyes of the people.  If only our seekers of greatness remembered this basic Christian law and made it a law of their conscience, how much better our life would become!  But the problem is that the whole idea of greatness in our society is rooted in selfishness and self-interest, and invariably demands service from others, while the conscience of such “great men” finds peace in dry, useless formalities.  As the result, “great men” are in plentiful supply, while doing good is scarce, and our charitable institutions do much less than they could.

Read more about the author