Fr. Sanctus Mario
Inspiration and Bible Reflections

The Quest for Greatness: Tuesday of the 2nd Week of Lent

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Matthew 23:1-12

 

The quest for greatness is the effort people make to be better and recognised. Today, the quest to be a man/woman of repute has become one of the daily desires of man. 

 

Everyone wants to appear as great, powerful, super-intelligent, distinguished and superior among others. Today, many people can go to any length to achieve this. 

 

We find the quest for greatness in every aspect of our human life and existence. So, in today’s gospel of Matthew 23:1-12, Jesus distinguishes between the earthly way of showing signs of greatness and what it means to be truly great.  

 

 

The Pharisaic Way.

 

In the gospel, Jesus accuses the scribes and the Pharisees of doing everything only to attract attention. What they say is not what they do. They love to seek praises and recognition. Therefore, to appear great, they appear in long garments and wide phylacteries. Everything they do is just like that of a hypocrite. 

 

 

Hypocrites live a life of pretense. In the places they are in charge, they only pretend to work, but deep inside their hearts, they have another hidden agenda. 

 

Some people in political offices show and pretend they are working to help the people while actually, they are not. Among Christians, this is when some people pretend to be holy, prayer warriors etc., but what they show is not truly who they are. It is when what we do is only for appraisal and to have recognition. 

 

2. Secondly, Jesus also accuses the Pharisees of seeking only places of honour in synagogues and banquets. They love to appear in public places and market squares to be hailed and praised by the people. They love the name rabbi so that people will respect and bow down to them. 

 

 

This is why Jesus tells His disciples not to call anyone rabbi, father or master on earth. Hence, this does not mean that we do not respect our earthly and spiritual fathers, but those in charge have to be cautious of pride. 

 

He reminded His disciples that they are all brothers and should treat each other as a brother and not as superior. Jesus warns against the attitude of showing off because of the positions we have or occupy. 

 

 This is when we do our work only to seek appraisal and self-glory. In the quest to appear great, and important, those in charge do everything within their beck and call to seek personal glory. 

Therefore, when the attitude of seeking personal glory becomes the reason we do what we do rather than the salvation of souls or service to God, our life hence becomes hypocritical and pharisaic. Such service never pleases God. 

 

The Earthly Way of Seeking for Greatness.

 

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The earthly way of showing signs of greatness is when we try to prove to people that we are the people in control. It is when we seek respect at all cost.

 

In this quest for greatness, we seek praises and want people to worship us. In this, whatever we do is only to bring every honour to ourselves. Today, many misuse the authority and power given to them and forgets that every earthly authority has an expiring date. 

 

For Jesus, this kind of mentality is earthly and like that of the Pharisees. 

 Jesus says in the gospel of today, “Let the greatest among you be the servant of all”. It may sound somehow, but this is true. 

 

 

The True way to Be Great.

 

 

The secret of greatness is to serve the people with whatever God has given you. Jesus says in the gospel that whoever wishes to be great must be willing to serve. So, the quest for greatness is not the effort to appear recognized but a heart that is willing to serve God and man. 

 

 

We can share our time, our talents, our energies in serving others in the Body of Christ. So,  If you have anything God has given you, use it and serve others in a way pleasing to God and not for sordid gain or honour.

 

Hence, what will make us great and blessed by God are those good things that we do. Let us use our positions, talents, gifts, authority, power, wealth etc., as ways to serve God through others and not as a way to intimidate people. What we have, where we are, and whatever gift God gives to us is to serve Him. This is the true quest for greatness. Let us strive to be great in God’s presence and not in the sight of man.

 

 

May God help us to serve Him willingly, and May He continue to direct us in whatever we do. Amen.

 

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78 Comments
  1. Amara chidimma stephnora says

    Lord please hear and answer our prayers, strengthen our dear priest and Grant him his heart desires Amen!

    1. Sanctus Mario says

      Amen

      1. Jacqueline Aforkpah says

        Amen 🙏. May God bless you with more strength to keep serving Him faithfully, and give us also our daily strength to serve and not to be served. 🙏✌️

        1. Angela Madu says

          Amen
          Thank you Padre

      2. Mercy E Johnny says

        Amen, Lord Jesus make me humbly to be great in your sight. And bless your priest Fr Sanctus Mario by increasing him on every side to make him great in serving you Jesus the Lord. Amen

      3. Chioma Frances Egwuogu says

        Amen

      4. Okwuchi Juliet says

        Amen 🙏. May the Lord Continue to give you wisdom Father.

    2. Obinna says

      Amen
      Thank you Fr

  2. Nonye Maduka says

    Amen

  3. Nasenga Sharon says

    Amen 🙏 🙏🙏

  4. Angela Madu says

    Amen

  5. Rosemary Umeze says

    Amen

  6. Eze, Blessing Chinasa says

    Amen. God, please give us the grace to use our positions and serve you in humility and trust in you.

  7. Izuegbu Lorretta says

    Amen

  8. Judith chiamaka ezeofor says

    Amen, help me lord to knw u more and serve u more in Jesus name amen

  9. Nancy chizoba says

    Amen

  10. Ogwa Oluchi Rose says

    Amen

  11. Blessing Chilo Adie says

    Your word oh Lord is a lamp unto our steps,help us to be hearers and doers of your word through Christ our Lord Amen

  12. Obodo Onyinyechi says

    Amen! O Lord,please grant us the spirit of humility to serve you and the people around us in truth and Faith…Amen!

  13. Ifeoma Ugwueze says

    Amen

  14. Bibiana Uche Unachukwu says

    Amen. God bless Fr Sanctu Maria with more wisdom.

  15. OJIOGBU JACINTA says

    Amen

  16. Regina Mobu says

    Amen! Lord give me the grace to follow us to the end of my stay on earth. Thank you father for all your encouragement.

  17. Blessing Anne says

    Amen

  18. Mbama Christiana says

    Amen. Thank you Padre for this beautiful reflection, may the Lord continue to strengthen you. Lord don’t allow my talents/gifts to die inside me, give me the grace to serve you with everything You have given me. Amen

  19. Adeline Chidimma says

    Amen and Amen

  20. Ekwem Emmanuela Chiamaka says

    Amen

  21. Chisom Egwudike says

    Amen

  22. Stella Ekwemalor says

    Amen

  23. Onyekonwu Ngozi says

    Amen. Thank you Jesus!

    1. Helen says

      Amen! Thank you Padre. More grace 🙏🙏🙏🙏

  24. Peter Anthony Dodoh says

    Amen

  25. Ikeoha Joy Chidiogo says

    Amen.

  26. Vivian says

    God please give us the spirit of helping others and give our priest more strength as he works in your vineyard

  27. Michael Jones says

    Amen.

  28. Nwokedike Chinenye (Obizolu Assumpta) says

    Amen
    Teach us to be great, oh Lord

  29. Gabriel-Martin says

    Amen Fr

  30. Ezeagu Anuli says

    Amen 🙏 🙏

  31. Enibe Jacinta Amara says

    Amen

  32. Chinwe Agwoile says

    My Lord and Savior, Jesus, forgive me for the times I have burdened others with rules that I did not keep. May I be true to my words. May I never be diagnosed with “attention-seeking disorder.” Pardon me for blowing my own trumpet, doing show off, and for wanting others to see me as high and mighty. Teach me humility so that I learn not to focus attention on myself. Burn away the spirit of secret personal agenda, evil of unhealthy competition and rivalry that resides inside me. Make me a Model and a Mentor in integrity and honesty. Help all leaders to exercise authority humbly. May I always honour You as the Greatest Teacher and the Master of the Universe. Amen! Thank you Fr for what you’re doing in my life and that of others!

  33. Ogbaji Patience says

    Amen

  34. Okonkwo onyinye says

    AMEN

  35. Mailoushi James says

    Amen, remain blessed Fr to the glory of God’s name, Amen

  36. Boitumelo Malebatsane says

    In jesus mighty name amen🙏

  37. Chizoba Ekwueme says

    So help me, God. Amen.

  38. Onyekonwu Ngozi says

    Amen! Thank you JESUS for your word this morning. Lord I pray for more grace to serve through humility through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen.

  39. Olomu Chinedu says

    Amen Fr. thanks for these reminder. we really at times take these gifts for granted.

  40. Blessing Iortsugh says

    Amen and Amen

  41. Yolanda Malebatsane says

    Amen

  42. Jane chuks says

    Amen 🙌

  43. Onyinyechi Emeka-Ude says

    Amen.

  44. Ojiogbu Chekwube says

    Amen

  45. Grace Uba says

    Amen

  46. Blessing Salifu says

    Amen 🙏 🙏 🙏

  47. Angela Ekere says

    Amen

  48. Agina Uchenna says

    Amen!

  49. Vivian Elochukwu says

    Amen

  50. Anidiobi Sylvia Ngozi says

    Heavenly Father I pray for grace to serve you willingly 🙏

  51. Stella Ekwemalor says

    Amen
    Good morning Padre

  52. Mbama Christiana says

    Amen. Thank you Lord for everything.

  53. Bibiana Uche Unachukwu and family says

    Amen Amen Amen. Good morning Fr Santus and do have a great day today

  54. Alphonsus Inegbedion says

    Amen. Thank you Fr. for the reflection. God bless you

  55. Cordelia Agudosi says

    Amen

  56. Oby Okpalaeke says

    Amen 🙏

  57. Ifeoma Ugwueze says

    Amen and amen

  58. Munachimso onuoha says

    amen

  59. Goodluck Ekeocha. says

    Amen.

  60. Regina Ajua Mobu says

    Amen

  61. Umeze Rosemary says

    Amen

  62. Mariajacinta Ivoke says

    Amen

  63. Dr. Julie says

    Amen

  64. Udemezue Martina Mary says

    Amen

  65. Dorothy Mary Iyinbor says

    Amen thanks Padre

  66. Okeke Juliet Nneka says

    Amen 🙏.

  67. Amalu Gloria says

    Amen. May God help us to serve him with true mind and spirit and obey his commandment. May God gives me grace to serve him in others through Jesus Christ our lord we pray. Amen.

  68. Chinwe Agwoile says

    I say a Big AMEN!
    Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I have burdened others with rules that I did not keep. May I be true to my words. Pardon me for blowing my own trumpet; for showing off, and for wanting others to see me as high and mighty. Teach me humility so that I learn not to focus attention on myself. Burn away the spirit of secret personal agenda, evil of unhealthy competition and rivalry that resides inside me. Help all leaders to exercise authority humbly. May I always honor You as the Greatest Teacher and the Master of the Universe. Amen!

  69. Awodike Florence says

    Oh God help me to use whatever I have to serve you and humanity and not to intimidate People…
    More wins and Grace…

  70. Awodike Florence says

    God give me the Grace to serve you willingly with whatever gift I have…
    Remain ever Blessed Padre….

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