Who is The Greatest?

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on September 16, 2021

What does the word house or home mean to you? Our houses, our homes mean more to us than a physical structure in which we find shelter.  Home is a place of stability and security. Home is a place where we can be our true selves. In this Sunday’s gospel (Mark 9:30-37), Jesus journeys with His disciples to Capernaum and enters “the house,” his home, we imagine.  Before they arrived, Jesus had announced for the second time that He would be betrayed, killed, and rise again after three days. The disciples did not understand Jesus’ declaration but began arguing about who is the greatest.  On entering the house Jesus asked them, “What were you arguing about along the way?”  Jesus could have questioned them as they traveled, but He waited until they entered the home, the interior space, symbolizing the movement into the true inner self, the spiritual awakening into which He was inviting the disciples. The spiritual challenge was to re-consider and reframe greatness from God’s perspective.

 The world definition of greatness is rooted in personal accomplishments, power, and wealth.  And our social system is structured on ideas of ranking in which some are “the greatest” and others, “the least.”  But Jesus invites us to move into the spiritual realm and consider greatness from God’s perspective. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.”  Jesus is first in the kingdom because He came on earth, not in pomp and power, but in servant-like humility, the least. He accepted suffering and death, offering His very life for our salvation. He appeared to be last in death but rose victoriously into new and everlasting life. His humility was transformed into glory!  Jesus is the Supreme Lord, the Exalted One, the Greatest. Greatness, from God’s perspective, is embodied in Jesus’ humble, sacrificial self-giving love and mercy. We bow down in reverence and gratitude for being embraced in Jesus’ boundless love, admitting that we, like children, are weak. Jesus welcomes the meek, the lowly into the family of God, not by our merit but by our accepting His offer of salvation.  As followers, we continue Christ’s redeeming work by striving to uplift the human dignity of the lowly, vulnerable, and powerless, for all are invited into the heavenly home of peace and rest with the Father eternally.

Tags: home, salvation, security, greatness, gratitude, stability, heavenly home

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

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