Reflection on Mass readings for Sept. 22 (25th Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
Psalm 54:3-4, 5, 6, 8
James 3:16-4:3
Mark 9:30-37
I am sure my parents and many other parents could empathize with Jesus’ situation in this weekend’s Gospel and the second reading from St. James. In the Gospel, Jesus finds the Twelve arguing and the Letter from James tells us, “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice.” (Jas 3:16).
I know this is true from my personal experience. While my family has always been a very loving family, there were many times, with the twelve siblings, when jealousy or hard feelings showed up. We also argued, sometimes about trivial things. All of these things caused disruptions in our house. Sometimes, as we grew older, we had a way of diffusing these situations, especially discussions about who was the favorite of mom or dad or the most important.
My siblings and I have enjoyed the comedy of the Smothers Brothers for many years, listening to their albums frequently. This was very helpful during our discussions about who was mom’s favorite or the best at something. When our discussions got too serious, one of us would say a word or phrase that would trigger one of the Smothers Brothers’ routines and it would diffuse the situation.
The favorite one, of course, was “Mom Always Liked You Best.” We never resolved the question of mom’s favorite child. Usually, our laughter got the best of us, and we knew in truth, none of us were more important than the others.
In the Gospel reading, Jesus had just predicted, for a second time, his death at the hands of men and his resurrection after three days. Instead of discussing this, the Evangelist tells us, they were arguing amongst themselves about who “was the greatest.”
Maybe they were jealous or envious of one another. Maybe there was jealousy of Simon, now called Peter the Rock. Maybe they were upset with James and John, who wanted to be granted seats at Jesus’ left and right. Maybe they were upset about Matthew, a tax collector who now had the same status as the rest. We are not sure what they were arguing about – Jesus knew, but he asked them anyway.
Jesus might have been upset or perturbed with them and said: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all” (Mk 9:36). Then, he ironically puts a child in their midst and tells them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me” (Mk 9:37).
I say “ironically” because, in Middle Eastern society at that time, children had no rights until they reached the age of maturity, and were considered last of all in order of importance. However, children certainly were loved, taken care of, raised properly and taught their faith – after all, they were their parents’ security in the parents’ old age.
The child represents the lowest of society, and even though they are the least important in society, Jesus is telling the apostles – and us – that it is in them, the least important, where we find him.
The second reading tells us that if we are wise in the way of God, we are “pure, peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits” (Jas 3:17). James also challenges us: In living out these qualities in our lives, we should be constant and sincere.
The Scriptures this weekend challenge us to serve the lowest of society, in whom we find Christ, and to always demonstrate the qualities of those in whom Christ lives. As baptized Catholic Christians, this call and these qualities should resonate with all of us.
Deacon Christopher Colville serves at Church of the Redeemer, Mechanicsville.