25th Sunday Year B: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima
Readings: Wis. 2:12,17–20; James 3:16–4:3; Mk 9:30–37
To have ambitions in life is a wonderful thing. It is always good to aim higher in our undertakings. In fact, God created us to aspire for greater things and to bloom wherever we are planted. However, there are two things that we must beware of: the kind of ambition we entertain and the way we pursue our ambitions. In the readings of today, the church presents to us the kind of ambition we should not entertain, and what we are not supposed to do as we pursue our ambitions.
In the first reading of today, the author of the beautiful book of Wisdom placed before us the kind of ambition that should not be entertained and what we should not do as we pursue our ambitions. The setting of the reading was the wrong conception of life by the wicked. They conceived life as short, full of sorrows and directionless. So, to bring consolation to their souls, they decided to aim at living a carefree life and to be stumbling blocks in the lives of others. They said they will oppress the poor and crush whoever stands on their way. To the just, whose life contradicts what the wicked people have set as their goal, the wicked outlined perfect plans on how to destroy their lives. They said: “righteous people are nothing but nuisance, so let’s look for chances to get rid of them. They are against what we do… so, let’s put them to the test. We will be cruel to them and torment them.”
Dear friends, do we still have people whose ambitions are to cause nuisance to the society, to the families or any group they belong? Do we have those who plan the downfall of those who correct them? The first reading is a wakeup call to people who are ready to blackmail, oppress and destroy others just to achieve their goals. It is a call for a change to those who trample on others as they pursue their desires. It is a call for a change to those who are still selfish in the pursuit of their goals to the extent that they don’t care if they have to subject others to untold hardship or even kill in order to get to their goals. It is a wakeup call to those who plan the downfall of those who correct them. The Church calls for a change of such attitudes.
The second reading of today paints a vivid picture of the consequence of blind and selfish pursuit of ambitions. Saint James said where there is jealousy, selfishness and bitterness, there will also be disorder and every kind of evil. He clearly identified selfish desires and evil ambitions as the origin of the fights and quarrels among us in our families and groups in the society. It is even funny, as noted by Saint James, that people who are selfish in their desires count themselves as the wise people of our world because they often get what they want either by force or by cunning. But the truth, as Saint James also said, is that such wisdom does not come from God; it is, therefore, unspiritual and demonic. Saint James also showed us that God cannot grant prayers made for selfish desires.
Saint James finally advised us to always choose the path of righteousness and humble service which leads to lasting peace whenever we are pursuing a goal.
The gospel of today comes with a live demonstration of the lessons we read in Saint James. The apostles of Jesus were all aiming at the top position of their group, not according to the mind and mission of Christ, but according to their selfish interests and distorted understanding of what top position means. Did you notice that the apostles were already having a bitter argument? Perhaps, if it were not for the swift intervention of Jesus, what would have followed would have been quarrels and disintegration of the group.
Dear friends, through His intervention in the argument among His apostles on who will be the greatest, Jesus teaches the apostles and all of us as well that what makes one great in life and in the eyes of God is not the possession of the highest position, rather it is having a child-like humility and offering selfless service in any position one finds himself. He also teaches us that the best way to reach the highest position cannot be by oppressing others, by tearing others apart, by marching on others, by plotting the downfall of others or by blackmailing others, rather it is by welcoming and serving the vulnerable in our midst: the defenceless children, the despairing poor, the mentally ill and the marginalized. This is the path of righteousness in the pursuit of goals; this is the true path to greatness in life.
Dear friends, in our quest to be great in life, we must be ready to accept these four challenges: One, to put ourselves last. Two, to be the servant of all. Three, to receive and treat everyone, especially the most insignificant human beings, with love. Four, to expect nothing in return for service rendered. In today’s Mass, let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us to become truly great through humble and selfless service.
Fr Isaac Chinemerem Chima