Reflection by Deacon Matt

Reflection for 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time: 

Wisdom 2:12, 17-20: It seems human nature is unchanging. The author describes so well how unjust and evil people of this world persecute just and innocent people. Contemplating why this occurs leads one to a few logical reasons why the unjust abuse and torment the just. For one reason, they are likely jealous. Innocent and just people experience an abiding happiness, serenity and peace that envious, hate-filled and angry evil people can never hope to possess or experience unless they change and amend their ways. Pride is a huge obstacle to non-believers’ considering change or conversion to the faith. Consider that the “wicked” or unjust are unbelievers, so their “moral compass” has as its center, themselves, rather than God. Nevertheless, we’re not commanded to hate or harm those who hurt us; but to pray for their forgiveness, healing and conversion. Our God is merciful!

Psalm 54: “The Lord upholds my life.” Today’s psalm works well to accompany the first reading. It speaks as a just person who’s undergoing persecution and/or abuse of some kind. The first verse is a testament by the persecuted individual of his belief in God, in God’s power to help and save, and of that suffering person’s trust in God’s responsiveness.
Next, it reflects on the “spiritual blindness” of unbelievers; noting that they “set not God before their eyes.” Again, we’re called to pray for the repentance and conversion of all unbelievers and sinners. Rather than harbor vengeance against those who have hurt us; we’ve been commanded to pray for their salvation. We can even offer our suffering because of others, for their conversion! Thus, consecrating our suffering frees us from bitterness.

James 3:16-4:3: This passage is addressed to every one of us; as we all have sinned in our relationships with others. Who of us has never been jealous of others or selfishly competed with others for some temporal benefit or “prize,” with which to feed our pride? None of us is completely innocent, save our Lord, Himself and our Blessed Mother! As this passage suggests, we’re urged to pray for wisdom and grace that promote purity, love, and mercy; and that places us in the state of serenity and peacefulness that our souls yearn for.
James wisely observes how our “passions,” or our temptations of pride, greed and jealousy disturb the inner peace and tranquility which we could be enjoying, were we to strive more to live more consistently in a state of grace. If we ask for forgiveness and grace sincerely, God will restore us to that inner peace.

Mark 9:30-37: Today’s Gospel also contrasts human temptations to compete for dominance, power, control and influence with the values of the Christian Mission to which we’re called. As proclaimed by Jesus, we’re called, not to self-indulgence or self-promotion, but to a life of humble service. We’re called to a life of self-sacrifice; even perhaps to sacrifice our very lives for others, as He did. 

Jesus tells us that if we’re going to compete with one another, let’s compete to be the most authentically humble, generous and unselfish. This kind of “competition” will surely result in a dramatically better and more holy world! This “manner of living” characterizes Jesus’ own vision for the Kingdom of God, on earth! With this ponderous “foretaste of Heaven,” imagine what the eternal Kingdom will be like! Our souls long to be there!     

Deacon Matt