25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B (Readings: Wisdom 2: 12.17-20 James 3:16.4:3)
Theme: The Greatest, is He Who Serves
The three readings we have for this Sunday, present to us a guide that will help us to be true followers of Christ, if we put it into practice in our daily lives. In the first reading, the Book of Wisdom gives us an insight into the devices of the ungodly towards the children of God on how to pull them down and indict them. In the second reading St. James admonishes us as children of God about what we should not practice in our lives and those that we should practice as children of God. Jesus in the gospel educates us on what we should do if we want to be the greatest. A guide that is completely different from the ways of the people of the world.
The Book of Wisdom points out very clearly the challenges that the children of God go through in their call to discipleship. Even though it was written a long time ago, it is still very much relevant in our own time. Things have not really changed much from the time it was written. The children of God are faced with different challenges as a result of the life style they have chosen, which continues to challenge all those who are not in their fold and are evil. A lot of traps are set for the children of God to falter and they will be discredited. They seem not to understand the fact that we serve a God that speaks for his people, even in their absence. Our God is a reliable and trusted friend that does not turn his back on all those who have faith and trust in him. As many that have faith and trust in him, he will protect and fight their battles; he is the Mighty Man in Battle. The real challenge is our ability to always trust in God’s faithfulness and do all within our power to live like true children of God that we are called to be at all times.
St. James admonishes us in the second reading about the things we should not practice in our lives, if we truly want to live like children of God. As children of God, we are all encouraged to guide against jealousy and selfish ambitions in our lives. This is because they are destructive and do not give room for peace, unity, love, growth and development. It creates unnecessary rivalry that brings about division, disunity, hatred, bitterness and evil. Dearly beloved in Christ, we do not need all these things in our lives. What we need in our lives is wisdom from above, which promotes the fruits of the kingdom of God and enthrones God’s presence in our lives, families and our society.
That is one of the reasons why we should be serious with the assertion of Jesus about the person who wants to be the greatest. The ways of the world of attaining greatness is different from God’s ways. As children of God, we have to make use of the directive given to us by Jesus himself in today’s gospel, if we want to be the greatest amongst our peers. To be first, he must be last of all and servant of all. Simply put, he has to be guided by love and be selfless at all times.
We are all encouraged to follow the road map given to us in today’s liturgy, if we truly want to live lives that are pleasing to God. May God grant us the grace to adhere to Jesus’ advice in our daily life. Peace be with you.