Intention of Our Hearts!

Monday, September 28, 2026

Job 1: 6-22; Lk 9: 46-50

Today’s Gospel invites us to pay attention to the intention of our hearts. 

When Jesus finds his disciples arguing among themselves about whom the greatest among them is, he is quick to read the distortion that has set in their hearts. This is why he turns their understanding upside down by presenting the child as the symbol of true greatness. 

We find Jesus identifying himself with the little child. And he reveals to them that welcoming the child is like welcoming himself. For Jesus, it is the intention of our hearts that changes everything. Hence, true greatness in God’s eyes comes from a humble heart that is ready to put oneself in loving service towards others. 

In a way, the second incident in today’s Gospel continues the lesson. Again, it is an issue of greatness because the disciples seem to be thinking that greatness comes from being with Jesus alone. Thus, Jesus discovers that their understanding of greatness suffers from a form of exclusivity, and he intends to correct it immediately. 

In Jesus’ view, greatness comes from working for God in all sincerity. The one-line rule that Jesus gives, ‘Whoever is not against you is for you,’ is an invitation to his disciples to broaden their horizons. As such, he wants his disciples to recognize the work of God even when it comes from someone outside their immediate group. 

A heart that is turned towards God is not only humble but is also generous when it comes to carrying out His mission. In sum, it is the intention of our hearts that determines our greatness in the sight of God. 

Let us pray that we may purify our intentions to serve the Lord in humility and generosity. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar