The Least Of All

Et residens vocavit duodecim, et ait illis: Si quis vult primus esse, erit omnium novissimus, et omnium minister. Haec instructio duo continet, scilicet, doctrinam et exemplum. De doctrina dicit, et residens, ut quieto animo, et non ex commotione animi loqui videretur. Non contendet, neque clamavbit, neque audietur foris vox eius. 'Vocavit ad se duodecim' quia illi disputaverant. Alii enim discipuli non erant electi ad dignitates maiores, sed potius in partem solicitudinis erant vocati, sicut dicitur. 'Et ait illis' instruendo ad formam humilitatis 'si quis vult' qui tamen rarus est, quia omnes cum diabolo petunt ascendere. In caelum conscendam, supr astera caeli locabo solium meum, sedebo in monte restanmenti in lateribus Aquilonis, et similis ero Altissimo. Et perrarus est qui cum Christo descendere veli et humiliari. Recumbe in novissimo loco. 'Si' ergo est 'quis' qui rarus est: qui 'vult' ex propria electione et prompto animo. Si voluntas prompta est, secundum id quod habet, accepta est. Nihil autem ita habet in promptu sicut humilitatem: quia causam humilitationis habet in seipso. Quid superbis terra et cinis. 'Primus esse apud Patrem et apud me. 'Erit' reputatione sua, 'omnium novissimus.'Quia sic novissimi erunt primi, et primi novissimi. Sic enim erit Christo similior, de quo dicitur. Exinaniuit semetispum formam servi accipiens. Sic doctrinae eius Discipulus. Discite a me quia mitis sum et humilis corde. Sic ad gratiam Dei Patris idoneus. Deus superbis resistit: humilibus autem dat gratiam. Sic deitatis receptaculum et templum. Respexit humilitatem ancillae suae. Sic locus beatorum Dei pedum, si se ex humilitate omnibus praebet conculcandum: et ideo dicitur, Locus scabelli pedum meorum, ubi habito in medio filiorum Israel. Hic locus pedum meorum, est locus humilis scabelli infimi cordis, quod omnibus se praebet conculcandum. Caelum sedes mea, terra scabellum pedum meorum. Quae est ista domus quam aedificabitis mihi? et qui est iste locus quieris meae? Omnia hac manus mea fecit, et facta sunt universa ista, dicit Dominus. Ad quem autem respicuiam nisi ad pauperculum et contritum spiritu, et trementem sermones meos. Sic ergo et istis de causis sit novissimus. 'Et minister' offico et actu: ut corde fit novissimus, et actione minister. Augustinus Honore coram vobis Praelatus sit, vobis timore coram Deo substratus fit pedibus vestris. Minister autem est formam servi accipiens, et transiens, et ministrans. Ego in medio vestrum sum, sicut qui ministrat. Levitae ministri erunt fratrum suorum in tabernaculo foederis. Sic nos existimet homo ut Christi ministros: et dispensatores mysterii Dei. Sanctus Albertus Magnus Commentarium In Evangelium Divi Marci, Caput IX Source: Here p103

And sitting down he called the twelve to Himself, and He said to them, 'If someone wishes to be first, he shall be the least of all and the servant of all.' 1 This teaching contains two things, that is, instruction and example. Concerning instruction He speaks, 'sitting down,' that He shall be seen to speak with a quiet soul and not from a troubled one. 'He shall not contend nor cry out, nor shall his voice be heard in the street.' 2 'He called the twelve to Himself,' because they had been arguing. For the other disciples were not elected to greater dignity but rather they were called to care, as is said. 'And He said to them,' instructing them in the form of humility. 'If someone wishes,' which however is rare because all desire to ascend with the devil. 'Into heaven I shall rise, above the stars I shall place my throne, I shall sit on the mountain, in the sides of the north, and I shall be like the Most High.' 3 Most rare is the one who wishes to lower himself with Christ and be humble. 'Sit in the lowest seat' 4 'If,' therefore there is 'someone' who is rare, who 'wishes,' by his own choice and ability of soul. 'If the will is eager, according to its means, it is acceptable.' 5 And nothing it has so easily within reach for it as humility, for it has the cause of its humility in itself. 'Why so proud, earth and ashes?' 6 'To be first,' with the Father and with Me. 'He shall be,' his reputation, 'the least of all.' 'Because the last will be first, the first will be last.' 7 So he will be like Christ, concerning whom it is said, 'Having emptied Himself he took on the form of a slave.' 8 Such is the disciple of His teaching. 'Learn from me because I am meek and humble of heart.' 9 So suitable for the grace of God the Father. 'God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.' 10 So he is the receptacle and temple of God. 'He has looked on the humility of His handmaid.' 11 So the place is at the blessed feet of God, if by his own humility a man offers himself to all to be trodden on, and therefore it is said: 'Here is the footstool of my feet, where I dwell in the midst of the sons of Israel.' 12 Here is the place of my feet, which is the humble footstool of the lowly heart, because to everyone he offers himself to be trodden on. 'Heaven is my throne, earth the footstool of my feet. What is this house you have built for me? And what is this place where you will have me rest? My hand made everything, so everything was made. On whom shall I look but the poor and contrite in spirit, and he who trembles at my words?' 13 By these things one may be the least. 'And a servant' in office and deed, that with the heart one be least, and in deed a servant. Augustine: 'Let a prelate have honour before you, but let him have fear before God as beneath your feet. 14 For the minister takes on the form a slave, in his going and in his serving. 'I am in the midst of you as one who serves.' 15 'The Levites were servants of their brothers in the tabernacle of the covenant.' 16 'So a man judges us as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.' 17 Saint Albert The Great, Commentary On The Gospel of St Mark, Chapter 9 1 Mk 9.35 2 Isaiah 42.2 3 Isaiah 14.13-14 4 Lk 14.10 5 2 Cor 8.12 6 Sirach 10.9 7 Mt 20.16 8 Philip 2.7 9 Mt 11.29 11 James 4.6, 1 Pet 5.5 11 Lk 1.48 12 Ezek 43.7 13 Isaiah 66.1-2 14 August Rule 7.3 15 Lk 22.27 16 Num 8.26 17 1 Cor 4.1