Trinity 17
James 3:13 – 4:3, 7, 8a – Two kinds of Wisdom
Mark 9: 33 – 37 – Who is the Greatest?
Who’s the GOAT?
That question is guaranteed to provoke endless argument, the claimed candidate being dependent on personal allegiances, age, culture and experience. The GOAT we’re talking about here though isn’t Billy, as pictured here.
It stands for Greatest Of All Time.
Although probably based on questions of sport, usually football (George Best or Colin Bell?) (No contest, IMHO), the appellation ‘GOAT’ is now applied to people in all walks of life. For me, I guess the top candidates in various other disciplines are:
Politicians: Abraham Lincoln or Nelson Mandela?
Cricketers: Don Bradman or Gary Sobers?
Guitarists: Clapton or Hendrix?
Artists: Picasso or Van Gogh?
Racing Drivers: Fangio or Senna?
Authors: Dickens, Lawrence or Joyce?
Disciples: James, John or Peter?
In truth, you’d have to question whether they were really the greatest or simply just the best known. The answer according to Jesus is actually many who we’ve never heard of, those who were happy to be servants of the smallest child despite the cost to themselves. That’s the challenge.
Whereupon, perhaps the GOAT could even be (should be?) You.
Better learn how to Bleat.
Previous Posts
Praying Together 16th February 2025
And if you accept Him as Lord, allow Him to lead you as you walk into the future without looking back, and do what He has equipped you to do as His body on earth
Praying Together 9th February 2025
We are all asked to have the faith to put out into deep water, but we must remember that we will never be on our own. Peter’s ministry was made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit, as will ours.
Praying Together 2nd February 2025
We are all called to be the Body of Christ in His entirety – and we are to take the example of all ‘Saints’ who have gone before, both male and female, as models of our required behaviour.
Praying Together 26th January 2025
Most importantly, in the face of what appears to be a society built upon prejudice and hatred, we are sustained and strengthened by the knowledge that in the end, love will triumph, leaving the wordly values of the tyrant to be forgotten.
Praying Together 19th January 2025
Jesus has demonstrated His authority and power. He takes something ordinary, and it becomes extraordinary. He turns water to wine. He heals the past and offers a new future. He changes his followers from sinner to saint.
Meditations 5th January 2025
With the same eyes as the Magi, we look into the manger, see the light of the world – be it for the first time, after a dark time, or in our daily devotions – and every time we see something new.
Meditations 29th December 2024
In face of evil, we will not keep silent. We choose love; love in thought, love in prayer, love in action, in the sure and certain hope that the power of the cross will prevail. Therefore choose love.
Praying Together 15th December 2024
Be careful what you say in a restaurant – someone might overhear…
Praying Together 8th December 2024
You’ve a chance to start again, but it begins with you admitting that you need to repent, and then be ready – because your life is going to change forever.
An Advent Meditation
As He is always present with Mary, so He is present with me, and with you, too.
Praying Together 24th November 2024
Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen.
Praying Together 17th November 2024
However we understand it, it is the Spirit-led recognition of His presence at the heart of our Eucharist that changes our lives and sets us free to be His Body on earth.