Greatness in the kingdom of God
December 11, 2014
Thursday
2nd Week of Advent
1st Reading: Is 41:13–20
Gospel: Mt 11:11–15
Jesus said to the crowds, “No one greater than John the Baptist has come forward among the sons of women, and yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven is something to be conquered and the unyielding seize it. “Up to the time of John, there was only prophesy: all the prophets and the Law; and if you believe me, John is this Elijah, whose coming was predicted. Let anyone with ears listen!”
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the
Assimilated Life
Experience)
The person of John the Baptist is a showcase of the importance God gives to the virtue of humility. In today’s Gospel Jesus admits that no one greater than John the Baptist has come forward among the sons of women. Yet one can surpass his greatness by being “least in the kingdom of heaven”. But what does being the least in the kingdom of heaven exactly mean?
Jesus also uses the word “least” in explaining the love commandment. He says, “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.” Here the word “least” refers to those who have less in life and are considered without standing in society. But Jesus could not have this same meaning in mind while talking about the “least in the kingdom of heaven”. Being “the least of Jesus’ brothers and sisters” and being “the least in the kingdom of heaven” are in fact poles apart in meaning. The former refer to those who have no influence in human society while the latter to the heirs of heaven.
Jesus already describes who are the “least in the kingdom of heaven” when he says in another Gospel passage: “Suffer the little children to come unto me for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. Children symbolize that sector of society that holds no power and influence. They represent those who are the least of Jesus’ brothers and sisters on earth. In the eyes of God these powerless ones are the VIPs of heaven which today’s Gospel reading refer to as the “least of the kingdom”.
But we must hasten to clarify that being least in society because of poverty and lack of influence does not automatically qualify one to any reserved seat in heaven. Jesus makes an important qualification in the Beatitudes when he uses the term “poor in spirit”. Heaven belongs to the poor, yes, but not just any poor person. This qualification narrows down the term “least in the kingdom” to the humble ones.
In this season of Advent the Church invites us to take a second look at the importance we give to the virtue of humility. – Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., DM. Email: [email protected]. Website:www.frdan.org.
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