Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Greatness consists not in what we have or in what we can get from others but in what we can give of ourselves to others. The Second Reading from the letter to the Hebrews tells us today that in Jesus, we have a “great” high priest. When is Jesus our great high priest? He is our great high priest when he, the priest and victim, hangs on the altar of the cross while the crowds mock and jeer below. Mother Teresa is an outstanding example of Christian “greatness.”

Her greatness was in giving her whole self to the very lowest, treating them as brothers and sisters, and living close to them and like them. Her greatness was not in her fame or reputation for holiness but because of her spirit of service to those most neglected and in need.

Like James and John and the other disciples, like Mother Teresa and many others, we are ALL called to be missionaries, most of us right where we are. But, to be good missionaries, we have to hear Jesus’ words about where real greatness lies. It is a message that is not always easy to hear in a society like ours.

We are all called to be not only disciples and followers but also apostles and missionaries. We cannot live our Christianity faithfully unless we share it and witness it in our daily lives.

With Love and Blessings,

Fr Damian