Today's two readings challenge us to practise the virtue of 'humility' which is one of the qualities of a Christian, a follower of Jesus. "Humble yourself before God and he will lift you up." (Jm 4:10) and Jesus' response to the disciples by taking a little child who had no special position or importance in the Jewish society of Jesus' time.

A child is thus an effective example of what Jesus means by 'greatness'. The Aramaic word for 'child' means 'servant'. So the essential thing to discipleship is the readiness to serve, an attitude totally opposed to that of those who are ambitious for power and recognition.

In Mk 9: 34, when confronted, the disciples remained silent. Desire for power is very secret, so silence is a subtle form of covering up the hidden agenda. Doesn't this sound familiar to our own experiences especially in our workplace, even in the church ministries?

We are reminded again by Jesus who set the standards of a counter-culture: true greatness is in humble servanthood. One is great when one is able to serve the least, the lost and the little in a humble manner. In short, today's gospel passage is the second of the 3 passion-resurrection announcement of Jesus. It includes Jesus' passion teaching in v. 31, the incomprehension of the disciples in v.32 and Jesus' instructions to them (v. 33-37).