“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 18:4)

According to Mark’s gospel, it was written: “They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, ‘What were you arguing about on the way?’”

But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest.
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." (Mark 9:33-35)

In another instance James and John, the sons of Zebedee approached him and said: “Command that we sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom." Jesus said to them: “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." (See Matt. 20:26-28)

During World War II, because Franciscan priest Fr. Maximilian Kolbe sheltered 2,000 Jews in his monastery, the Nazi government arrested him and sent him to Auschwitz Camp on May 28, 1941, prisoner #16670.

That year in July, a prisoner escaped. The Nazis chose ten men to be killed. Among them was one named Franciszek Gajowniczek. He protested that he had a wife and children to care for. Father Kolbe stepped forward and offered to take his place.

Hunger and thirst were used in the execution to torture the prisoners. After three weeks, only Father Kolbe and three other prisoners were still alive. He often stood or knelt to pray, perpetually keeping a calm and cheerful demeanor. Finally, he was killed by the Nazis injecting phenol into his veins. His body was providently cremated on August 15 (The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary).

Pope John Paul II canonized him, proclaiming also that he was to be venerated as a martyr on Oct. 10, 1982.

Jesus said: “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”