Dear Friends,

In this Sunday’s gospel lesson, we find Jesus’ disciples arguing among themselves in a way that reminds me of what we often hear during presidential debates—each one trying to convince us who is the greatest, the brightest, and the most qualified. This moment comes right after Jesus tells them that he’s going to die a horrible death and rise again, warning that things will get worse before they get better. But instead of grappling with the gravity of Jesus’ message, the disciples seem to think it’s a signal that there’ll soon be a job opening at the top! (As I’ve mentioned before, my seminary professors fondly referred to them as the “duh”sciples.) So, on their journey back to Capernaum, they start arguing about which one of them is the greatest.

For the apostles—and for all of us, living in a culture obsessed with measuring success and failure—Jesus offers a radical teaching. He takes a child in his arms and says, in effect, if you want to be great, be like this child: vulnerable, dependent, humble, and unconditionally loved by God.

Jesus, in the depth of his love, could see what is so hard for us to recognize in ourselves. This constant judging, comparing, ranking, and claiming superiority only separates us from one another, from God, and from our own true selves.

I remember when I was not quite 30, working in a senior-level position in the banking industry, climbing the ladder quickly. Then, unexpectedly, I found out I was pregnant with my first child. No one could have prepared me for the transformation this would spark in my heart, leading me, two years later, to step down from my role so I could spend more time with my son. Walking away from my rising career and the affirmation that I was “successful” felt like radical soul surgery. I had to ask: Who am I without this marker of success?

Like many of us, I was born into a culture that thrives on judgment, comparison, and hierarchy, always defining winners and losers. One decision, no matter how bold, wasn’t enough to untangle me from this mindset completely. I’m still caught up in it, to be honest. Yet, Jesus reassures us that it’s okay to be the least, to be the servant of all. Only then can we experience true freedom in our spirit. For me, this remains a lifelong process.

A mentor of mine used to ask, “Would you rather be right, be the best, or be the most successful, or would you rather find joy?” This question echoes the one Jesus poses to us in Sunday’s gospel, and I suspect many of us face it daily.

I offer my mentor’s question to you this week. Use it as often as you find your spirit tightening and suspect a judgmental thought creeping into to the mix!

In Christ,

Amelie