Society normally uses power, wealth or some outstanding quality or achievement to measure greatness. But in today's Gospel, Jesus, in a reversal of what the world considers great, teaches that real greatness lies in humility, self-emptying and forgiveness. It is realized in community rather than in individual achievement. Christians are called to humble themselves and care for those whom Jesus calls "little ones."

Further Jesus gives a model for Christian community through the parable of the lost sheep. When a member of a community goes astray the whole community is called to show mercy and forgiveness and bring back to the fold the estranged one. Jesus himself moved to the margins of society to the sinners, outcasts, and sick to bring them back to the community. "I did not come to call the righteous but sinners" (Mt 9:13). In the parable God himself takes initiative to go in search of the lost ones. We are called to make an extra effort to think and act out of the normal ways to reach out to the lost as the heavenly Father desires that not even one should be left behind in his love.