Who is the Greatest? ~ Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) 

Wis 2:12, 17-20

Ps 54:3-4, 5, 6-8

Jms 3:18-4:3

Mk 9:30-37

It is interesting to note how often we read about the disciples of Jesus talking amongst themselves about which one of them is the greatest.  Each of the synoptic gospels have versions of this incident.

Because the disciples recognized that Jesus is more than an ordinary man, each wished to be the most important person in Jesus' life.  They each had dreams of reigning along with Jesus in his future Kingdom.  How little they understood what Jesus meant when he spoke about the suffering and death he would have to endure before he rose from the dead to enter that Kingdom.  Jesus spoke about being a servant to others; his disciples thought only about power.

But Jesus admonished them and told them that if anyone wished to be first, he needed to take the last place and to be servant to all.  Jesus brought a child to them and said: "Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me." (Mk 9:37)  This must have shocked his disciples since children had no real standing in the Jewish community until they came of age.  Jesus was teaching his disciples an important lesson in humility.

In the second reading, James describes what happens when one thinks only of power and control of others.  This selfish ambition and envy of what others have results in war and conflict.  Instead of this kind of behavior, James teaches about wisdom from above which is peaceable, merciful and gentle.  When one lives in a righteous way, one follows in the footsteps of Jesus. One's life becomes one of service to others with no thought of whether one is greater than another.
We pray along with the psalmist when he says:

Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
I will praise your name, O Lord, for its goodness. (Ps 54:6-8)      

 

 ~ Image Source: A Concord Pastor's Comments