TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B)

READINGS AT MASS

Wis. 2:12,17-20

Psalm 54

James 3:16-4:3

Mk 9:30-37

Theme: TRUE GREATNESS

Dear friends in Christ, N'wokafu YESU KRISTO... 

In today's First Reading is recorded the thoughts of the godless that greatness, authority, and comfort lie in the destruction of the godly: those whose lives are contrary to theirs. To them, pulling down and destroying their opposition is the way to greatness. 

Beloved, no one achieves greatness by destroying and pulling others down. St. James in the Second Reading said: "Where jealousy and selfish ambition exists, there is disorder and wickedness of every kind... " With this truth, he answered the billion-dollar question we have all been asking for long. Why all these killings? Why all this envy and hatred? Where do the wars and conflict come from? For St. James, from the selfish desires of man comes all destruction. Selfish desires, inordinate ambition, and passions can only lead to conflict and destruction. Greatness and goodness cannot come from these. An envious and covetous man is not a great man.

In today's Gospel, instead of trying to understand the Master's revelation and sympathizing with Him, the disciples, after hearing Jesus speak about His death, rather become preoccupied with His replacement. "Who is the greatest?" Their selfish desires immediately overshadowed their love for Jesus Christ. Selfish ambitions prevent us from thinking about the plight of others and blind the eyes of the mind from understanding the mysteries of Jesus Christ. Presenting a child (a symbol of weakness and irrelevance in Jewish culture), Jesus cautioned His disciples that true greatness lies in humility and service. A Christian must be a humble servant.

Beloved in Christ, true greatness lies in love, humility, and sacrifice. A truly great man offers his shoulder for others to stand on to achieve or reach their heights. Selfish ambitions and the inordinate desire for greatness only kill love and set men at each other's throats. It turns friends into obstacles to be eliminated and God only becomes a means to achieve an end.

Who is a great man? Be a true great man in the eyes of God.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, grant me the grace to think first of You, and others, and love in all I do. Amen.

May God bless you.

-Rev. Fr. Kenneth Debre

Sunday, September 22, 2024.

Holy Rosary Parish, Hohoe.