The  last  shall  be  first

A little girl attending a sporting event said to her mother ‘I want to go to the front to see’.
In other words, she wanted to be part of the event.

That sentiment resonates with our aspirations to be part of and up front with the goings on in life - be it in the social field,
or those who are emotionally or physically handicapped or discriminated against because of race or colour.
It can be downgrading, unfair and deeply humiliating not to be recognised for their place in society and church.

It must be acknowledged that many of those who achieve success in business are to be credited with creativity, hard work and ambition.
The quest for recognition has become a major factor in the lives of our younger generation, especially in the field of sport and other outdoor activities.
The rank and file of the populous live by very ordinary standards.
But sadly, there are the less fortunate who fall victim to ill fortune and strive to keep the ‘wolf from the door’.

One has to wonder to what stratum Christ is referring; obviously to those who are on the margins, the non achievers and silent majority.
Those who tag along patiently conscious of their inability to achieve high places and live with their inadequacies.
They are the first in God’s sight.

The church provides a place for all, saints and sinners, achievers and failures but recognising
one another as equals at the table of the Lord.
“It is not those who say Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but those who do God’s will”.

“It is not dishonourable to be poor because it is richness in God’s sight” - Mother Theresa.