Sunday, September 23, 2012

Reflection for 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Wis 2:12, 17-20
Jas 3:16-4:3
Mk 9:30-37

Today's scriptures certainly make us reflect on our own ambitions versus having an attitude of service. The readings challenge me to ask myself that difficult question, "what are my motivations for doing something in my life?" In the first reading we hear the evil thoughts of one who has wicked ambitions. In the second reading, James describes a community that "where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice." We hear in this Gospel passage that even those who we consider to have been very close to Jesus were not  above human ambition. The apostles fighting over who was the greatest among them caused them to miss out on Jesus' teaching about his passion, death and resurrection.
Jesus then teaches them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all."  How can we interpret that message today, for us, in our homes, our offices, our neighborhoods, our parishes? How can we offer our lives as lives of services to those who live around us? How can our family be a family that reaches out to serve others? How can our parish carry on the mission of service to the poor neglected and oppressed? And do all this without any ambition or hope for compensation. Not an easy task for the apostles, nor for us but today is as good of any day to place ourselves at the service of others.

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