True Greatness Is Humble

Reflection Date: December 11, 2025 Thursday of the Second Week of Advent 
Daily Readings: Isaiah 41:13-20; Matthew 11:11-15

Children of God: When we think of missionaries, we often picture preachers speaking boldly in front of crowds. But one of the greatest SVD missionaries assigned to Asia, Saint Joseph Freinademetz, was known not for his loud preaching, but for his quiet humility. Born in Austria, he was sent as a missionary to China in the late 1800s. Instead of imposing his European culture, he learned the Chinese language, dressed like the locals, and lived among them with simplicity and respect. He once said, “I love China and the Chinese. I want to die among them and be buried among them.” His greatness was not in being noticed but in loving deeply and serving humbly.

In Matthew 11:11, Jesus highlighted humility in service. He said “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11). John was a prophet who prepared the way for the Messiah. He did not seek attention for himself; instead, he pointed others to Jesus, saying, “He must increase, and I must decrease.” His greatness came not from status or power but from humility — the kind of humility that makes room for God’s work to shine through.

Jesus teaches us that in the kingdom of God, greatness is measured differently. The world admires those who are powerful, wealthy, or famous, but in God’s eyes, the truly great are those who serve with love, forgive easily, and obey His will without complaint. This kind of greatness can be lived out in everyday life. Parents who sacrifice for their children, teachers who guide patiently, workers who do their jobs with integrity, or young people who stand up for what is right, they are all great in the eyes of God. Humility allows us to see that every act of goodness, no matter how small, has eternal value when done with love.

Children of God: Let us learn from John the Baptist and from humble missionaries like Saint Joseph Freinademetz. True greatness is not about being first, but about being faithful. It is not about being praised, but about serving quietly for God’s glory. In every humble act, we make the kingdom of God visible in our midst.