Fr. Francois Noha s.x.
The 25th Sunday in ordinary time proposes the readings in diverse ways that call our attention on our lives and the management of the internal forces and the power our own desires have upon our actions. This leads to the understanding and the source of some good actions like service. At the same time these desires can leads to conflicts as the apostle James reminds us. Let us look closely at the readings.
The first reading relates the conflict between the just person and the wicked one. It presents the story on the point of view of the wicked men who consider the presence of the just as a challenge of their status. Therefore, they plot among themselves how to destroy the just by ensnaring him with traps and set ups. They even test the truthfulness of God since they await God to come and save the just man. This reading warns also the just to be truthful and not pretend because the unjust people will put him to the test. Hence, some difficulties of the just man are not the result of a curse from God but of the jealousy of others.
In the second reading, we learn from the apostle James that jealousy and ambition are the source of disharmony and all kinds of wicked things. At the opposite there is wisdom from God which is the source of peace and harmony. Wisdom rejects hypocrisy and partiality. The peacemakers are sowing the seed of holiness. In addition, James argues that all the fighting going on among people comes from the desires within us that are opposed to each other. Desires and ambitions that are not satisfied lead to the attempt of forcing the way and when this is not a success, it lead to kill. All these are signs that either we do not pray well or what we desire or we pray for is bad.
Lastly, Jesus and his disciples are journeying toward Jerusalem and his mind and heart are preoccupied with the coming situation that is his death and resurrection. After the announcement of the death of Jesus, the desire of who will lead in the absence of Jesus has animated the minds and the talks of the disciples along the way. Then Jesus reminds them to discipline and channel well their desires of greatness. Jesus did not condemn the desire of being great as I heard some people hammering. However, he gave the guidelines in the Christian way that lead to greatness: humility and service of others. By examining the different conflict around the world we can say that St. James is right. This is a call for all to become aware of our desires and so to domesticate and channel them for the service of others and so avoid the jealousy, disharmony, killing and destruction of other people’s lives.
To sum up, the three readings today are cautioning us about some energies that are contained inside us. They are the desires and ambitions we nurture inside ourselves. Sometimes we accomplish them. Other time, we do not. The failure to satisfy our desires can lead to conflict and fighting. Jesus, therefore, calls us to temper and orient these desires to the service of others with humility.
May the humble Virgin Mary and Joseph serve us as example.
The 25th Sunday in ordinary time proposes the readings in diverse ways that call our attention on our lives and the management of the internal forces and the power our own desires have upon our actions. This leads to the understanding and the source of some good actions like service. At the same time these desires can leads to conflicts as the apostle James reminds us. Let us look closely at the readings.
The first reading relates the conflict between the just person and the wicked one. It presents the story on the point of view of the wicked men who consider the presence of the just as a challenge of their status. Therefore, they plot among themselves how to destroy the just by ensnaring him with traps and set ups. They even test the truthfulness of God since they await God to come and save the just man. This reading warns also the just to be truthful and not pretend because the unjust people will put him to the test. Hence, some difficulties of the just man are not the result of a curse from God but of the jealousy of others.
In the second reading, we learn from the apostle James that jealousy and ambition are the source of disharmony and all kinds of wicked things. At the opposite there is wisdom from God which is the source of peace and harmony. Wisdom rejects hypocrisy and partiality. The peacemakers are sowing the seed of holiness. In addition, James argues that all the fighting going on among people comes from the desires within us that are opposed to each other. Desires and ambitions that are not satisfied lead to the attempt of forcing the way and when this is not a success, it lead to kill. All these are signs that either we do not pray well or what we desire or we pray for is bad.
Lastly, Jesus and his disciples are journeying toward Jerusalem and his mind and heart are preoccupied with the coming situation that is his death and resurrection. After the announcement of the death of Jesus, the desire of who will lead in the absence of Jesus has animated the minds and the talks of the disciples along the way. Then Jesus reminds them to discipline and channel well their desires of greatness. Jesus did not condemn the desire of being great as I heard some people hammering. However, he gave the guidelines in the Christian way that lead to greatness: humility and service of others. By examining the different conflict around the world we can say that St. James is right. This is a call for all to become aware of our desires and so to domesticate and channel them for the service of others and so avoid the jealousy, disharmony, killing and destruction of other people’s lives.
To sum up, the three readings today are cautioning us about some energies that are contained inside us. They are the desires and ambitions we nurture inside ourselves. Sometimes we accomplish them. Other time, we do not. The failure to satisfy our desires can lead to conflict and fighting. Jesus, therefore, calls us to temper and orient these desires to the service of others with humility.
May the humble Virgin Mary and Joseph serve us as example.