Reflection on the Word of God
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Wisdom 2:12-20. Burdened with various restrictions by their Persian overlords, many Jews left their homeland and moved south to Alexandria – a center of Greek culture, philosophy, the arts and sciences. Some of them abandoned their sacred traditions and lived secular lives. However, many Israelites remained faithful, and their fidelity was a living reproach to the apostates. “Let us beset the just one, because he reproaches us for transgressions of the law.” The very sight of the good and faithful people infuriated the wicked ones. Filled with anger and perverted perception of God’s providential care for the righteous, the “wicked” devised all sorts of harassment, torture, and even death.
Psalm 54:3-8. Praying for deliverance, the psalmist cries out to Yahweh for help: “God, hear my prayer and hearken to the words of my mouth.” The trouble that precipitates the plea is described, followed by a declaration of confidence in God, and a vow to offer sacrifice in gratitude for having been heard. The petitioner is a righteous person – looking to God for liberation and protection. “Yahweh, by your name save me – for the ruthless seek my life.”
James 3:16-4:3. This “wisdom teaching” encourages the listeners to choose the path of righteous living over the crooked way of sin and folly. The foolishness reveals itself in various forms of jealousy and selfish ambition. A life based in and motivated by wisdom generates harmony, peace and charity. Wisdom is, above all, a gift from God, and it brings forth an abundance of life-giving fruits. The individual and communal strife and hostility are caused by failure to journey along the path of wise and virtuous living. In this conflicted and disordered environment, prayer is either absent or improperly centered, looking only to self-interest.
Mark 9:30-37. The first part of this reading recounts Jesus’ prediction of His death and resurrection; the second is a report of the disciples’ quarrel over status within the community. Jesus tells the disciples that He will be handed over and killed – but He will rise from the dead after three days. Mark makes it clear that Jesus’ followers were interested and enthusiastic about the Resurrection, but wanted to hear nothing of the Cross. Insensitive to Jesus and competitive among themselves, they were arguing about which of them was the most important. The Lord proceeded to teach them that genuine discipleship is based in real humility, authentic love and generous service. Identifying Himself with an “innocent and subordinate” child, Jesus declares that true greatness consists of our willingness to see and respond humbly to the needs of others with compassion and loving-kindness.