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They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask
them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they remained
silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who
was the greatest. Mark 9:33–34
One of the desires that we all have is for greatness. This is a
good and natural desire. This desire is manifested in
competitiveness in sports and games. It becomes a driving force in
business and politics. It drives us to do better in life, such as
in school, artistic endeavors, and hobbies, working hard to perfect
various skills and talents so as to excel. The problem is that
every good and natural desire we have is now disordered to a
certain degree because of original sin. As a result, the desire we
have for greatness can become an obsession, a cause of
discouragement when we fail, a source of jealousy when others
appear to do better, and can lead us to pursue empty and fleeting
goals in life.
Even within the life of faith, we can be affected by both the
natural desire for greatness and the fallenness of that desire. The
natural desire for greatness, when mingled with faith, will lead us
to the desire to be a saint and to do great things for the Kingdom
of God. But as a fallen natural quality, we can also fall into the
trap of seeing ourselves in competition with others within the
Church, and we can become jealous of those who appear to be holy
and who are recognized for their good work for Christ.
Just prior to the passage quoted above in which the disciples were
discovered to have been arguing among themselves about who was the
greatest, Jesus predicted to them, for the second time, that He
would suffer and die. Recall that after the first prediction of His
passion, Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain and
was transfigured before them. Perhaps some of the other disciples
became jealous of this apparent special treatment. Then, after
Jesus predicted His passion to them for the second time, they might
have wondered if some of them would likewise share in a similar
experience as the Transfiguration.
Regardless of what motivated the disciples to argue among
themselves about who was the greatest, the fact remains that they
did so. This was not the result of a holy and purified desire. It
was the result of a good desire for greatness that became distorted
and turned into an unholy competition based on jealousy and
selfishness.
In Heaven, we will all know who is the greatest. Interestingly, the
Scriptures, the official Church teachings, and many of the saints
reveal to us that there will be levels of glory in Heaven. This is
why Jesus said elsewhere, “Store up treasure in Heaven” (Matthew
6:20). In Heaven, each of us will be perfectly happy. But each of
us will also share in God’s glory in varying degrees, based upon
the merit of our charity on earth. The classic example of this is
that if every soul is like a glass of water in Heaven, then every
glass will be full. But some glasses will be larger than others and
will be able to contain more water (glory). For this reason, we
must remember that the natural desire for greatness is good, but it
must be properly ordered by grace. That desire must not become as
it was among the disciples who saw each other as competitors.
Instead, it must be directed to the deepest desire for holiness and
charity. In Heaven, we will all be in awe of those holy souls who
are filled with the greatest depths of glory forever. Most likely,
they will be widely unknown on earth, but loved and admired in
Heaven for the greatness of their holiness.
Reflect, today, upon the desire within your own soul for greatness.
Pray that this desire will not fall into selfishness or lead you to
see others as competitors. Instead, pray that your desire for
greatness will lead you to holiness so that you will be able to
store up for yourself the most abundant treasures in Heaven and
radiate that glory forever. Most glorious Lord, You are
Greatness Itself.
You are our eternal glory. I thank You for the natural desire
for greatness that has been instilled within my soul. Please purify
that desire, and help me to direct it toward holiness so that I
will be able to store up in Heaven the many treasures You wish to
bestow. Jesus, I trust in You.
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Featured image above: Stained Glass - Jesus speaking to his
disciples By jorisvo, via Adobe
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