25th Sunday in Ordinary time
Readings:
Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
James 3:16-4:3
Mark 9:30-37
Reflection:
At first glance the readings for this weekend’s Liturgy are overwhelming. The power of evil presented in the book of Wisdom, and visualised in so many situations around our world, can fill us with fear and despair. How can we overcome such bitterness and hated? How sad it is to face these situations, especially in our own families. The letter from James, presents an equally grim picture. James throws us an enormous challenge to examine our own motives and then act with integrity to sow the seeds of peace. Not an easy task. There is also the challenge to pray ‘properly’, not to satisfy our own desires but for the wisdom to bring about peace – true peace that brings a universal good for all.
Mark’s gospel cuts through the dilemma of power and self importance with the simple statement – if you want to be first, make yourself last of all, and servant of all. What could be simpler than that? The image of the child is the key to making this edict real. It is a picture that melts our hearts, for who of us would not put a child first?
Today the challenge for me is to be present to the moment and seek the good of others rather than my own; to sow the seeds of peace in each situation I face. The challenge to pray ‘properly’ needs a little more reflection, one that might take a lifetime.
Margaret Bentley is a Salesian Sister and is currently the Academic Manager at the English Language Studies for Pastoral Ministry (ELSPM) begun by the Passionists in 2014 to enable their students to learn English before continuing to the Novitiate or theological studies.