Twenty-Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time—September 19, 2021 Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; Psalm 54:3-4, 5, 6-8, (6b); James 3:16- 4:3; Mark 9:30-37 We are hopeful that as we come to better know Jesus and the love of God, our faith will grow and strengthen. However, our readings this week serve as a caution to us… that as fear and doubts begin to melt away and we experience the joy and peace promised us, we need to be careful not to get too full of ourselves. We shouldn’t set ourselves apart; rather, we should seek unity not only with Christ but with all of our sisters and brothers. We are called to be humble and innocent like little children. We are called to glorify God and not ourselves which will only lead to division and discord which we must always be on guard against. Jesus reminds us that as we grow in faith we should not allow ourselves to lord it over others and wear our faith as a crown of distinction or honor. We are invited instead to put on faith as if it were an apron, helping to serve all of those who Jesus invites to His heavenly banquet. This week, we get a very direct example of how Jesus had to emphasize the importance of humility. The Apostles were caught arguing about their own greatness, possibly bragging about what they had been able to accomplish. Jesus is forced to lay it out for them one more time: the key to understanding greatness in His Kingdom is humility, a desire to serve rather than be served. Seeking glory and admiration are not goals of the humble servant Christ wants each of us to be. In reminding the Apostles “that the last will be first and the first will be last” Jesus encourages us to love for the sake of loving, just as He did. When we compromise our service by desiring admiration, advancement or other earthly rewards we are thinking not as God does but as man does. Jesus humbled Himself by submitting to a humiliating death on the cross. In that sacrifice, we should recognize the purity of love He asks us to share with our family, friends, neighbors and yes, even our enemies. This teaching is difficult to put into practice, but the graces of joy and peace that are available to those who love and give with purity of heart can become the hallmarks of an abundant life. Let us ask for the grace to be thankful that we have been invited to the banquet and to be humble enough to joyfully do our small part and always giving the honor and the glory to the Lord.
For further reflection on Christ as our servant role model see The Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 536, 541, 555, 565.
Is love of others and a desire to model Christ the motivation for my service to others, or do I need the acknowledgement and praise of others for the simple things I do well?
Has there been a time when division and discord has entered into my ministerial service? If so, what did I do about it? Is there anything that I could have done differently which would have resulted in greater unity with others?
What motivates me to serve generously and with humility in my home? My neighborhood? My parish? My community? What might I do to become the loving and humble servant Christ calls me to be?