Some of us like to feel proud or great about our achievements. Though there is inherently nothing wrong about feeling proud and great about our achievements, especially when it concerns self-esteem or self-worth, the problem that some of us may fall into is when we allow pride to get over our heads; when we begin to become arrogant, egoistic or look down on others; or when healthy, humble delight in one's accomplishments have easily transformed into unhealthy, arrogant over-valuing of oneself.
In
today's Gospel, we are told: "An argument started between the disciples
about which of them was the greatest. Jesus knew what thoughts were
going through their minds, and he took a little child and set him by his
side and then said to them, 'Anyone who welcomes this little child in
my name welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who
sent me. For the least among you all, that is the one who is great.'"
A little child is great because the child is
docile and dependent on his or her parents, instead of trying to boost
one's ego; or developing a proud, unhealthy, arrogant over-valuing of oneself. We too can be great, when we learn to humble ourselves and be dependent
on God's help and providence. We are also being great when all we do is for the glory of God, and not for our personal gratification. May we set aside any unhealthy, arrogant over-valuing of oneself, and strive to walk more in God's ways.
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