Saturday, September 19, 2015

The GREATEST among us

Mark 9:33-37

Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."

Lord,
how foolish we are--
arguing about who is the greatest
when you are walking among us...
Of course, you are THE GREATEST Lord!

And yet, you surprise me.
Taking a child -- a toddler, I imagine.
One who babbles and waddles
wherever those little feet may go
squatting low to look
at the leaves, the flowers, the rocks
grabbing a handful of grass
trying to eat it

looking up with a silly smile
to the adults nearby...

You scoop up that bundle
of bubbles and tantrums
into your arms
and looking at me, you say:
"This one
--and every Child of God  --
welcome them in my name
with love and acceptance and grace.
When you do that,
you welcome me
and the GREAT God who sends me."

I will.
Today, Lord,
and everyday I will.
Amen.

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