HOMILY FOR TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B. 19.09.2021
Readings: Wisdom 2:12.17-20;
Psalm 54; James 3:16-4:3 and Mark 9:30-37. 
WHY CONFLICT AMONG US?
In as much as
conflict is inevitable in life, should we allow it to tear us apart? No! Today’s
central theme is on Christ the Wisdom of God, who came down from heaven to be
servant of all. He indicated to us the best way to live in the midst of
conflicts and of ungodly men. To comprehend the wisdom of his teaching, we must
be like Him and be ready to sacrifice our lives for one another.
The first
reading from the book of Wisdom, speaks in wisdom on how the ungodly men plot
evil against the righteous man. The presence of the righteous man disrupts the
plans of evil men. Wisdom says, “Let us lie
in wait for the righteous man, because he is inconvenient to us and opposes our
actions; he reproaches us for sins against the law and accuses us for sins
against our training.” It is a reflection of a wicked heart that seats to
plan and execute evil; it foretells the suffering and death of Jesus Christ as
a result of man’s wickedness expressed in various encounters between Him, the
Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes. Christ the righteous man reproaches them and
they took offence and resorted to plotting evil against him and finally
condemned him to death like a criminal.
The previous
Sunday, Christ told us to carry our cross and follow Him. Today’s first reading is a clear expression of the crosses we must
carry. As in the case of Christ, people will hate us for doing good, living
rightly, for simply being Christian. They will intentionally test our
righteousness; they will plot evil against us; they will torture us, abuse us and
display all sorts of evil against us just to see how gentle we are or see our reaction.
That is the more reason we must bear all wrong patiently and persevere to the
end. God knows how best to fight our battles. One with God remains majority and
the Psalmist tells us, “See, I have God
for my help.” As Christ conquered
his enemies, so shall we conquer ours.
Christ in the
Gospel speaks in wisdom as being the
righteous man and of the plot of evil men which the first reading speaks about.
He said, “The Son of man will be
delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed,
after three days he will rise.” His
disciples did not understand the wisdom in Christ’s words; rather they were in
conflict for their selfish interest of who is the greatest. Invariably, when
Christ was speaking of his utmost importance, it was less important to his
disciples; their interest was on their selfish and political ambition.
Obviously, an easy means to destroy any group or association is to instill in
them the vices of selfish interest and worldly ambitions.
When vices of
selfish interest with political or worldly ambitions arise in any group, it
gives birth to other forms of evil. It becomes the root of unnecessary hatred
to others of different opinions; it breeds gossip, anger, fighting, extortion
and all sorts of vices. Christ being God saw the interest of his disciples and
began to school them on what it takes to be great. He said to them, “If anyone must be the first, he must be last
of all and servant of all.” He further took a child as an example to teach
us that we have to be like children to be great. It does not mean to be childish;
rather childlike, for it takes humility and service to be great.
St. James in the
second reading speaks similarly to us when he says, “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and
every vile practices.” He further asked, “What causes war and fighting among you? Is it not your passions that
are at war with your members?” Obviously, our relationship with God and
with one another is destroyed by selfish interests and worldly ambitions. He
went further to give us the character of heavenly wisdom, which is first pure.
That is, the absence of any sinful attitude or motive. The heavenly wisdom is
peaceable, that is, gentle and kind. It is open to reason, it is not stubborn
but docile. It is full of mercy and does not judge others strictly on the basis
of the law and this wisdom is full of good fruits. If we do not seek this
wisdom of God, we will be caught up with lustful desires, which will eventually
wage war and conflict in our hearts.
We are
encouraged in today’s liturgy to work and pray against all vices hindering a
healthy relationship with God and our neighbours. Not to be among those whose
only agenda is to plot evil against others but to strive for a pure heart and
be like Christ, the righteous man who is wisdom personified.
Happy Sunday!
Fr. Ken Dogbo,
OSJ
May God give us the will to do the right thing always.
ReplyDeletePut away all forms of selfish desires.
Thanks a lot for the ur message
May we be open to the enablibg graces to recognise the need to love ourselves so we can give love to our neighbour. No one gives what one does not have.
ReplyDeleteA heart full of love will have no place for bitterness not to talk of envy.
Insightful reflection dear Padre. We continue to pray for love, that we love another and shun jealousy which is destructive
ReplyDelete