Reflection for September 22, 2024

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Wisdom 2:12, 17-20 | Psalm 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8 | James 3:16—4:3 | Mark 9:30-37

Every week when we come together, we reaffirm our commitment to being disciples, following the Lord’s path on our journey through life. This Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time encourages us to stay the course, continue doing what is right and good, let go of selfish ambitions, always choose peace, and prioritize serving others over leading.

During China's Boxer Rebellion of 1900, insurgents captured a mission station, blocked all the gates but one, and in front of that one gate placed a cross flat on the ground. Then the word was passed to those inside that any who trampled the cross underfoot would be permitted their freedom and life, but that any refusing would be shot. Terribly frightened, the first seven students trampled the cross under their feet and were allowed to go free. But the eighth student, a young girl, refused to commit the sacrilegious act. Kneeling beside the cross in prayer for strength, she arose and moved carefully around the cross, and went out to face the firing squad. Strengthened by her example, every one of the remaining ninety-two students followed her to the firing squad.  

Some people take pleasure in pushing good-hearted individuals to their breaking point, trying to prove that even the righteous are no better than anyone else. In today’s first reading from the Book of Wisdom, prominent men in Alexandria, Egypt, had turned away from their Jewish faith, embracing various philosophies, mystery religions, astrology, scientific advancements, and popular cults. A virtuous man wrote to fellow Jews, whose faith was shaken by the lawlessness of these apostates, to defend Judaism. The wicked, irritated by his silent protest, conspired to curse, torture, and kill him, claiming that if he was truly just, God would protect him. Unable to corrupt him, they sought to eliminate him instead. But here’s something to consider: two thousand years before you were born, God knew you would be hearing this today, and His message is clear—don’t give up. Keep doing what is right and good.

Timothy James McVeigh acted out of pure self-interest. He unilaterally decided that he had the right to plant a bomb at a government building in Oklahoma City in 1995, an act that resulted in the deaths of 168 people and injuries to more than 680 others, including several children, whom McVeigh callously referred to as collateral damage. He remained self-centered and unrepentant until the end, showing no remorse for his actions. McVeigh was executed by lethal injection on June 11, 2001. For his final statement, he chose William Ernest Henley’s poem "Invictus," which ends with the lines: "I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul."

"Where do the wars and conflicts among you come from?" James asks this age-old question in this weekend's Second Reading. He calls out his congregation for their jealousy, selfish ambition, disorder, greed, murder, envy, fighting, insincerity, and unreliability. The conflicts James is addressing aren't caused by external forces but stem from the hearts of believers, driven by distorted desires. He reminds us of the importance of praying for our true needs, rather than for things that feed our selfish desires. Earthly ambitions lead to earthly results. The pursuit of pleasure, power, and greatness ultimately harms both the individual and the community. James urges Christians to seek wisdom from God, focusing on peace rather than the competitiveness that leads to conflict.

Ludovico Ang, a billionaire tycoon, was visiting a church when he was invited to share his testimony. He proudly stated, "I have a wonderful family, twenty large mansions, a thriving business empire of ten companies, and a strong reputation. I possess considerable wealth, enabling me to generously support various ministries and outreach programs. Numerous universities and organizations seek my presence on their boards of directors. I enjoy good health and have nearly limitless opportunities. What more could I ask from God?" After a brief pause for emphasis, a voice from the back of the auditorium called out, "Perhaps you could ask Him for a good dose of humility?"

"What are you guys whispering about?" Jesus asks his disciples in the Gospel. It’s as if they hadn’t heard anything Jesus said. After arriving in Capernaum, Jesus and his disciples enter a house. In this private setting, Jesus asks them, "What were you talking about on the way?" Silence. No one answers. In reality, they had been arguing about who was the greatest. They had just wrapped up a major event with crowds bigger than they ever imagined—thousands of people. Jesus, the Nazorean carpenter turned prophet, was becoming more and more popular, and they were his disciples. They felt like they were the biggest thing since Moses, as hot as BINI and SB19. The people loved them. They were rockstars! But Jesus quickly sets them straight, asking them to reconsider what truly matters. He gathers all the disciples together, sits down, and places a small child in their midst, right in the center of the group. Embracing the child, Jesus says, "This is me. You want to do something big? Serve this little child. That’s what’s truly big." We often work hard to "make it big," measuring our worth by our income, the size of our houses, the value of our cars, and the brand names on our clothes. Like the disciples, we sometimes lose sight of what really matters. In God’s kingdom, quality, not quantity, is what counts. The highest places are reserved for those who make themselves last. In this Kingdom, the true masters are the ones who serve. No wonder St. Oscar Romero taught, "Aspire not to have more, but to be more." 

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