Chaplains’ Chat

Muhammad Ali is regarded by many as the greatest boxer of all time. He was the heavyweight champion of the world, and he had the imposing record of fifty-six wins and only five losses in his career. Of course, it wasn’t just the manner of his undoubted talent and his winning record that attracted people to him.

Muhammad Ali was also known for his words and quotes to journalists and people alike. One such quote was: “Float like a butterfly. Sting like a bee. You can’t hit what your eyes don’t see.” He also said: “I am the greatest thing that ever lived. I don’t have a mark on my face and I upset Sonny Liston.” I am sure we are all aware of the pre-bout bravado of various sports people, and perhaps there was a lot of this with Ali. However, in many ways, his words reflect so much of an attitude that we all face in life, where we want to be ‘the greatest.’ The desire to be better than the person next to us or just to get ahead of others in life is so very real. Is this desire a mask to cover over our fragilities and imperfections? Is it a reflection of our insecurities in life? Is it more simply a desire to look better than others?

Of course, Jesus knew all about this and even his own disciples were caught in this trap of wanting to be greater than others, as they requested to sit at Jesus’ right and left in glory with him (Mark 10). Yet Jesus’ telling words to his disciples, and even us today, continue to remind us that God’s ways are often so different to ours. Jesus reminds his disciples that whoever wants to be first, must be last, and the last shall be first. Here is Jesus’ way of life. To drive home his point, Jesus says in Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus’ way of living is not about seeking to be the greatest, but seeking to put others first and serve others. It is actually a wonderful way to live and a reflection of none other than Jesus himself. 

Rev. Anthony Benn
Chaplain