I thought it was my role in life to pursue greatness. I felt that God had blessed me with talents, advantages, and opportunities that were beyond my own making and I owed it to God to be as great in this life as I possibly could. I should get the highest grades possible, get into the best college possible, and pursue the most prestigious and influential opportunities in my career. If I did all this, I would not only enrich myself but also put myself in the best position to make a positive impact in the world.

Well, there is nothing like a newborn baby to knock your world off its axis. When I became a father, I knew that I would have to start reevaluating my goals and my priorities. What would it matter if I was great in all other aspects of my life if I wasn’t a great father first?

I had to spend more time with my family instead of at work. I had to endure long, sleepless nights full of crying. I learned how to make up stories and silly games that had no point other than delighting my daughters. For all I could tell, this was not advancing my “greatness” in the world one bit.

This is exactly what Jesus is teaching us in today’s gospel. Welcoming a child is a sign of greatness precisely because it rejects the idea of greatness that the world shows us, which is usually pretty self-centered. It requires us to sacrifice. It requires us to grow in patience and understanding. It requires us to live our lives for the sake of another. It requires us to love. These are all the things that Jesus did for us.

There are degrees and awards on my office walls and shelves, but after reading today’s gospel I think I’ll just lean back in my chair and take a sip of coffee from the mug I got for Father’s Day which reads: “World’s Best Dad.”