The Least and the Greatest



love your neighbor

“I am the greatest!” This was the mantra from one of the most gifted boxers of all time, Muhammad Ali.  He would also say, " I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest." In life one does not have to convince the world about one's greatness because the world measures greatness in worldly terms which are far from perfect.

In today’s Good News (Matthew 5:17-19) Jesus gives us His criteria and it all stems around not man made laws but the laws from God that are perfect in every way.  Jesus says, “Whoever obeys and teaches God’s commandments (laws) will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”  Conversely, the one who breaks the least of one of the laws and teaches others to do same will be called least.

God’s laws are perfect because they are centered in love. As St. Paul says, the laws can be summed up in this saying – “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love is the fulfillment of the law. Jesus came to fulfill the law.  

“I believe that the first test of a great man is his humility. I don't mean by humility, doubt of his power. But really great men have a curious feeling that the greatness is not of them, but through them. And they see something divine in every other man and are endlessly, foolishly, incredibly merciful.” ― John Ruskin