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The Greeks have a story...

Illustration
Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A
Matthew 16:21-28
The Greeks have a story about Paedaretos. Three hundred men were to be chosen to govern Sparta and Paedaretos was a candidate. When the list of the successful was announced, his name was not on it. "I am sorry," said one of his friends, "that you were not elected. The people ought to have known what a wise officer of the state you would have made." "I am glad," Paedaretos replied, "that in Sparta there are three hundred men better than I am." Here was a man who became a legend because he was prepared to give others the first place and bear no ill will because of it.
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