Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

The questions of Jesus in the Gospels: Who do the people say the Son of Man is? Who do you say that I am? Today, what were you arguing about along the way? What do you want me to do for you? Can you drink the cup I will drink? Do you also want to leave me?

Who do you say that I am? What were you arguing about along the way? When Jesus asked this question, they didn’t say anything, because they KNEW they had done something wrong. They still didn’t understand something about Jesus. Greatness, and prestige, were not goals of his at all. They didn’t get it.

Then let’s turn to the Book of Wisdom. There the writer speaks of the wicked who plot against the just. Because the just one “is obnoxious to us,” they didn’t want to hear the words of the just man. They didn’t want to be challenged by the good works of the just one. That made them feel uncomfortable. How do we respond to similar situations? They challenge us; make us think too much.

And St. James gets right to the point. “Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members? He writes of the ill effects of jealousy and selfish ambition. Where these exist, there is disorder and all kinds of bad things. Wisdom from above is pure and peaceable and gentle and full of mercy. St. James’ instruction is pointing to the error of our ways—we’re given to jealousy, ambition, and rivalry of the kind that leads to divisions.

Today our three scriptures blend well together to tell us the Paschal Mystery of Jesus. They caution us against jealousy and rivalry that set us apart from our brothers and sisters. They urge us to compete in serving one another; in accepting the child within us as well as the children in our midst (not just accepting but learning from them) who are single-minded; not complicated, and so very loving and lovable. “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last and the servant of all.” For Jesus, to rank first, you need to be the servant of all.

Greatness isn’t measured by rank. Greatness isn’t even significant in the kingdom. The desire for greatness or recognition is out of place. Any such achievement is measured by what one does for others. How well? How often do we serve our neighbor? How often do we go out of our way to be kind to someone? How do we live up to the gospel call? Would others know we are Catholic? Or Christian?

St. Benedict has a line where he urges the brothers to vie with each other in doing good. If you’re going to “compete,” then let it be in doing good for others.

If we try to do these things, then the Lord will not catch us arguing over who is more important or who outranks the other. Remember Jesus came into our world to stand with us as one who serves. We need to do the same, to strive to be people of the kingdom, known by our words, actions, and good deeds.

Reflection by Fr. Peter Ullrich, OSB