INTRODUCTION
Today’s readings invite us to become great in the sight of God by doing God’s will, as Jesus did, surrendering our lives to Him by serving others.
The passage from the Book of Wisdom sounds like a messianic prophecy similar to the “Suffering Servant” prophecy in Isaiah referring to Christ’s passion. It tells us how hard and challenging it could be when we decide to choose the path of righteousness. It is a decision that comes with personal sacrifices, oppositions and oppressions from those around us.
The responsorial psalm (Ps 54) is a prayer of comfort for one who believes that only God is his source of peace and security.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus indicates the true way of becoming a “true servant”: welcoming and serving the vulnerable in our midst, the defenseless children, the despairing poor, the mentally ill and the marginalized. Jesus also teaches us that only child-like humility and selfless service make one great in the eyes of God. The second reading is in tune with the dispute among the apostles about who is the greatest. In it, James warns us that selfish ambitions destroy peace and cause conflicts and war. So, James advises us to choose the path of righteousness and humble service which leads to lasting peace.
FIRSTREADING: Wisdom. 2:12, 17-20
The Book of Wisdom was written around 100 BC and addressed to the Jews living diaspora, especially those living in pagan cities such as the cosmopolitan city of Alexandria. Today’s passage is considered to be a messianic prophecy narrating the ordeals of the righteous. The prophecy could easily be understood in the light of Jesus experience in the hands of his own people. He is that “Suffering Servant.”
This reading tells us how the world often ill-treats those who strive to live justly and do God’s will. Bible scholars consider this as a reference to a conflict that was developing among the Jews living in Alexandria. The conflict was between those who were trying to keep their faith pure, and those who were adopting pagan Greek customs. These people who tried to keep to the faith of their fathers were despised by their own brothers. The writer exposes how deadly human heart could be and to which extent it can go in contemplating evil against the other. Though his aim is to present a text that encourages the righteous to keep to their faith while trusting in God who alone rescues those who are bowed down. The last part of the responsorial psalm today captures this very well.
SECOND READING: James: 3:16 – 4:3
James is emphatic about the contrast between spiritual wisdom and earthly wisdom. The apostle states that conflicts and disputes come from our inordinate desires, worldly cravings and selfish ambition. It is precisely this kind of conflict that appears in the Gospel when the apostles argue about who will be highest in the Kingdom of God. James contrasts this kind of jealousy and selfishness with the wisdom from above that produces a harvest of righteousness.
GOSPEL: Mark 9: 30-37
Jesus was returning to Capernaum after journeying incognito through the Northern Province of Galilee, avoiding crowds and teaching the apostles. Mark presents Jesus as giving three predictions about his suffering and death in chapters, 8, 9 and 10. The response by Jesus’ disciples is disappointing because they were dreaming of a political messiah who would usher in an earthly kingdom. Peter had already rebuked Jesus in chapter 8 when he made pronouncement about the type of Messiah He is called to be. In chapter 9, (if we go a little back to the first part of today’s text), an argument arises among the disciples as to who among them is the greatest. In the third passage (chapter 10), James and John selfishly requested Jesus to grant them seats on his right and on his left in the Kingdom. Some writers suggest that the grumbling of the other ten disciples at the request of James and John probably implies that they too had nurtured the same intention of occupying the positions that the two sons of Zebedee requested for, although they never made it open to Jesus.
The second part of today’s Gospel describes what happened when Jesus returned to Peter’s house in Capernaum. He took time to explain to his apostles the true meaning of greatness as linked to authority. In this case, it is a humble commitment to service.
Jesus affirmed that people who serve humbly are the greatest. The methodology he adopted was that of presenting a child before them as an emblem of humility and simplicity. Thus, the true greatness consists in serving the other and never self-centered enterprise. It lies in the ability to see and respond to the needs of others. It presupposes compassion and sympathy.
The vocation to service belongs to the Church as a whole and to every member of the Church. In other words, the Christian vocation is an apostolate of bearing witness to Christ through loving, humble service. Christian history teaches us that whenever the members of Christ’s Church have forgotten or ignored this call to service, the Church has suffered. The famous John Wesley had a beautiful way of expressing the call to service: “Do all the good you can; by all the means you can; in all the ways you can; in all the places you can; at all the times you can; to all the people you can; as long as ever you can.”
The link between service and humility is represented symbolically in the image of the child that Jesus placed before his apostles. The humility is not only applicable to the relationship with men but first of all it is an attitude that should characterize the relationship of the believer towards his God. Evidently, the trusting innocence of a child’s heart is the place where believers can meet God. Do we truly have a heart worthy of true servants? Do we serve others with humility or do we humiliate them through our service? What is our conception of service? Is it inspired by the principles of the gospel or by some models that do not correspond to the requirements of the gospel?
LIFE MESSAGES
1. No one who truly believe in God and follow his ways will have it smooth. If the way of God itself is contradictory to the principles of this world then the believer must be ready to embrace the challenges that are associated to his/her faith in God. This message is very clear in the first reading of today. The greatest challenges we encounter often come from within. It is easier to resist the enemy that we see than the ones whom we feel that they share in our life and projects. The history of the Church tells us how most of the heretics were men of the Church. But it is interesting that whether from within or without, God has always been incharge of his Church despite the ordeals. The same should be the faith conviction of the believers: those who truly place their trust in God and serve him in sincerity of heart shall never be bowed down. Even when they are persecuted, their suffering is glorious because it is a completion of the suffering of Christ. This is well captured in St. Paul’s pastoral letter to the Colossians: “It makes me happy to be suffering for you now, and in my own body to make up all the hardships that still have to be undergone by Christ for the sake of his body, the Church” (Col. 1:24).
2. We must become great through humble, self-giving service. Greatness, in Jesus’ view, is found in our willingness to accept, welcome and serve those who are considered unacceptable by reason of class, color, religion, wealth or culture. We must welcome people the way a child welcomes them before he is taught discrimination. We all have a common father. The diversities that exist in us are mere accident and should in no way be reason for discrimination. Therefore, if we are to be truly great, we must be ready to accept four challenges: (1) to put ourselves last, (2) to be the servant of all, (3) to receive the most insignificant human beings with love, and (4) to expect nothing in return. During the holy Mass let us pray for the true spirit of service, for an attitude of love for those around us. May the Holy Spirit help us to become truly great through humble, selfless service. St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) puts it like this: “Be the living expression of God’s kindness through humble service; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile and kindness in your warm greeting.” Here is the motto of the Missionaries of Charity, the order of nuns founded by Mother Teresa:
The fruit of Silence is Prayer.
The fruit of Prayer is Faith.
The fruit of Faith is Love.
The fruit of Love is Service.
And the fruit of Service is Peace.
3. We need to practice humility in thoughts, words and actions. “Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart.” “What is the essential thing in the religion and discipline of Jesus Christ?” St. Augustine asks, and then responds, “I shall reply: first humility, second humility and third humility.” We should not seek recognition and recompense for the service we do for Christ and the Church as parents, teachers, pastors, etc. Trusting Faith resulting from true humility is essential for all corporal and spiritual works of mercy. Since children reflect the innocence, purity, simplicity and tenderness of our Lord, and since they are given the protection of a guardian angel, we are to love them, train them and take care not to give scandal to them. We need to try to treat everyone with love and respect because as St. Basil would put it, “each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life” (Fr. Anthony Kadavil).
PRAYER
Lord we are yours and we desire to be yours always. Help us to understand that we are called to serve you with all our heart especially in the least of our brothers and sisters. Draw our attention back when we are carried away by the pride of service so that we may not be englobed in self glory, rather may we seek the path of humility which certifies our true discipleship. Keep us fortified and courageous when we are persecuted through our faith and service to You, so that renewed by your constant help and closeness we may remain undefeated by challenges and so therefore come at last to the place of glory for those who have fought the good fight of Faith, You who live and reign with the Son and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.
PAX VOBIS!
