25th Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year B By Rev. Fr. Lucas Binnah Junior

First Reading: Wisdom 2:12.17-20 / Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 54:3-4.5-6.8 (R. 6b) Second Reading: James 3:16-4:3/Gospel Acclamation: II Thess. 2:14/Gospel: Mark 9:30-37

Theme: The Ambition To Be A Servant

Last Sunday, Jesus, as always, was uncompromising and single-minded concerning the kind of Messiah (The Anointed One) he was. For him, the Messiah was simply a suffering servant, one whose focus is the cross on which sacrifice, love, mercy, selflessness, forgiveness, compassion and salvation are displayed. The spiritual Messiah, Jesus, gives his all for all of humankind to the point of death. He does not abolish ambition, but purifies what we make of it, and reiterates that our aim as his disciples must not be different from his. It must not be the ambition to wield power in order to treat others badly, but the ambition to serve one another. In this lies the supreme greatness, value and peace. Today’s readings bring out this central theme, and help us to redirect our focus.

In the first reading, the Book of Wisdom reveals the thoughts of the wicked against the innocent: “Let us lie in wait for the righteous man, because he is inconvenient to us and opposes our actions; he reproaches us for sins against the law, and accuses us of sins against our training” (Wis. 2:12). Those who are evil plot the defeat of goodness and good people. They scheme even on their beds to tempt and foment trouble for the godly, and so, they say: “Let us condemn him to a shameful death, for according to what he says, he will be protected” (Wis. 2:20). One who is evil and fails to change remains the same even if they become members of the church. Only a contrite heart will welcome the grace of God and turn on a new leaf. If people do not repent, yet remain in the church, they influence negatively, and this is the kpim of James in the second reading.

According to James, people guided by ungodly wisdom put the self before all else. They are driven by the evil of jealousy and selfish ambition. He says: “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice (Jas. 3:16). For St. James, this comes about due to false wisdom which is earthly, driven by passion and inspired by the devil (cf. Jas. 3:15). The effects of such ungodly and false wisdom are disorder, envy and all manner of evil things. On the other hand, St. James makes a contradistinction between selfish wisdom and divine wisdom. Divine wisdom, the wisdom that comes from God, has sublime qualities. It is pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, merciful, sincere, bears good fruits and has consideration for others (cf. Jas. 3:17).

The disorder brought about by ungodly wisdom tears relationships apart. Where there is a flicker of fire, such people will pour in fuel. Where there is little misunderstanding, these people will take advantage of it to sow seeds of discord and promote cliquishness. People with such wisdom cause troubles to any group in which they find themselves. Instead of bringing people together, they plant division among them. Reconciliation is not to be found in their dictionary. In place of the disorder caused by earthly wisdom with its attendant problems, James advices us to make an introspection to ascertain how uncontrolled human passion can lead to all manner of vices such as wars, fights, killings, covetousness and prayerlessness. We are encouraged to take the path of divine wisdom which leads to authentic, responsible and virtuous life. Particularly, James says: “The harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (Jas. 3:18). If we have divine wisdom, we will become instruments of peace, and bring peace in all situations wherever we find ourselves!

So, how can we pursue divine wisdom and choose the path that leads to life in God? Jesus shows us the way. In the Gospel, Jesus inspires a positive and Holy Spirit-guided life of service, the result of which brings order, discipline and sincere prayer. This does not mean that ambition in itself is wrong. However, when ambition puts self at the centre at the expense of God, others and everything else, then it is devilish, and becomes the root of jealousy, hatred, strife and war. Service to God and humanity must be our ambition. This will make us first and greatest among equals. Jesus says: “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and the servant of all” (Mk. 9:35). This selfless service comes with an ultimate price, and perhaps, that is why many avoid it. To save humankind, Jesus shed his blood. Notice how Jesus describes his agony: “The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days, he will rise” (Mk.9:31). Thus, the ambition to serve others is intrinsically and eschatologically rewarding!

Furthermore, Jesus places a child in the midst of the disciples and carries him in his arms to teach us a profound truth. Why choose a child when he knows well that children are naive, immature and powerless? Jesus says: “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me” (Mk. 9:37). Ordinarily, children need things to be done for them by others. They have no influence and cannot give us the things we need as grown-ups. Hence, they represent the ordinary people, the poor, those with no power, no influence, no wealth, no social status – no nothing – those who need things done for them! If we welcome such people by coming to their aid, serving and giving them all we are and all we have, then, we are welcoming Jesus and receiving God into our hearts. We need not look far; such people are always with us in our homes, churches, sodalities, neighbourhoods, streets, schools, hospitals, prisons, institutions, places of work, etc. We just have to open our eyes and ears to accept the fact that there are people like that, and we will be able to help them. Nobody is too poor to offer help and nobody is too rich to receive help. Service can come in many forms: advice, time, attention, wealth, influence, advocacy, money, etc. If we can make this our ambition and vision, then, we will be the first in God’s kingdom. This is what Jesus is teaching us today. This is divine wisdom. As you did this for one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me, says Jesus (cf. Mt. 25:40). If we can bring this lesson into politics and economics, all our political and economic problems will be solved. If we all lived for what we could do for others and not for what we could do for ourselves, then, everybody will be working for everybody and everybody will benefit from everybody.

Against the treachery, malice and cunning gestures of those led by ungodly wisdom and selfish ambition, the righteous person must prefer divine wisdom, stand firm and call on God. S(he) must believe that life comes from God and so should fervently pray with the Psalmist: “Behold, the Lord is the upholder of my life” (Ps. 54:6b). We are great, peaceful and fulfilled when we serve others. Happy Sunday and may God bless us! Remember to have: #Ambition-To-Be-A-Servant#

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