A Homily on Matthew 11: 2-11 : Great in the kingdom of God (14-12-25)

This helps us understand the surprising and beautiful words of Jesus: “The least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than John” (Matthew 11:11). John the Baptist is a great figure in New Testament. Jesus Himself calls him the greatest among those born of women. Yet Jesus adds that the smallest disciple in His Kingdom, the person who feels unnoticed, unimportant or forgotten, is greater than even John. It almost sounds unbelievable. How can the least be greater than the greatest prophet?

Jesus is teaching us that greatness in the Kingdom does not come from our ability, virtue or reputation. Greatness comes from our relationship with Him. Just as the pen gained its value from the hand that held it, we gain our true worth from the God who chooses to hold us close and work through our lives. We are precious because we belong to Him.

This message becomes even more meaningful as we stand in the third week of Advent, a season that celebrates God entering our smallness. Advent reminds us that God chose a manger, not a palace. He chose a village girl, not a queen. He chose a carpenter, not a king. Advent tells us that God loves the little, the ordinary, the hidden, the quiet. This is why even the least can be great in His Kingdom. Advent is God’s proof that greatness comes from His presence, not from human power.

This is the pattern we see in the Bible. When God first called Moses, Moses said he was slow of speech and afraid to face Pharaoh. But God answered, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12). That simple assurance transformed an insecure shepherd into the leader who set Israel free. David was the youngest and smallest in his family, but God said to Samuel, “The Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7), and David became a king after God’s own heart. Gideon protested that he was the least in his family (Judges 6:15), yet God used him to save the nation from oppression. None of these men were great by themselves. They became great because God placed His hand upon them.

The lives of saints are not different. St. Therese of Lisieux described herself as little and weak, but she believed that God delights in using small souls to reveal His love. St. Francis of Assisi had nothing except his trust in Christ, but because he allowed God to use him, he became one of the most powerful witnesses in history. St. Teresa of Ávila taught that God sometimes chooses weak instruments so His strength may shine more clearly. These saints reveal that holiness does not come from natural greatness. It comes from allowing God to work through our littleness.

This message touches the heart of ordinary family life. Many parents feel unnoticed. They cook, clean, work, sacrifice, and often no one sees those hidden acts. Many mothers feel like they are always in the background. Many fathers feel tired and forgotten. Many young people feel they are not important. Many elderly people feel they have lost their usefulness. But Jesus says to all these hidden hearts: You are precious in the Kingdom. You are held in My hands. Your small daily acts are great when done with love.

This is what Jesus is telling us today. You may feel small in your responsibilities, unnoticed in your family, or unimportant in the world’s eyes. You may feel that your life is as ordinary

as that simple pen. But the moment God touches your life, the moment you say yes to Him, the moment you allow Him to hold you, everything changes. Your value, your dignity, your greatness come from the One to whom you now belong.

A mother who wakes her children with patience, a father who works silently to provide, a young person who chooses honesty, an elderly person who prays for the family, a religious brother or sister who remains faithful in hidden service, these are the “least” whom the world does not notice. Yet Jesus says they are greater than John the Baptist because they belong to Him. Just as the pen became valuable because of the hand that held it, we become great when we let God hold our lives. In the hidden corners of daily life, greatness is born.

So Jesus whispers to each one of us today: Do not look down on your ordinary life. Do not think your small efforts have no value. In My Kingdom even the least becomes great, not because of what you achieve but because of the One to whom you belong.

Jesus let me become least in your kingdom. Amen

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