Mark 9:30-37    ( for 9-23-12 )

          Success !

         

          9:30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. 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."

          Years ago I used to listen to the rodio at night on my drive home. The show that I always looked forward to was a wise old man, a sage named Bernard Meltzer, he gave advice on all topics and problems. One of the things that  I recall was a recommendation for married couples: When your wrong admit it, when you're right - shut up. Still another is that marriage is not a 50-50 proposition, it's each party giving 100% to the other.

            The secret to success in the here and now and in the here after is right in this gospel reading.  It's all about giving and not expecting. Put others first and yourself second. Of course I don't mean be a doormat, we should have more respect for a creation of God (ourselves)  But still, there is this reading which once again tells us that whoever wishes to be first must be the last and the servant of all.  That is true for a successful marriage (where each should put themselves second in favor of the "us". It's also true in friendships, church, life and perhaps the whole world would be a much better place as well. 

          What kind of profound effect would it have if we all lived in an 'other' centric manner.  Live simply so others may simply live - a very good expression comes to mind.  Whoever lives this way and welcomes others, serves others , welcomes the child, they welcome God and our rewards will be manifest.