TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
19 SEPTEMBER 2021
Saint
James makes a distinction between wisdom from below and wisdom from above. He is not talking about wisdom in the sense
of knowing things. Rather, the wisdom he
speaks of involves behavior. As he
points out, wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, compliant, and full
of mercy and good fruits. Those who
embrace wisdom from above know righteousness.
Not only are their prayers answered, but they enjoy peace.
In contrast, jealousy and selfish
ambition are hallmarks of wisdom from below.
Those who embrace this wisdom find themselves in disorder and every foul
practice. They become envious of what
other people have. They tend to take any
action to achieve what they want and form warring factions that tear apart the
bonds of their community. Those who
pursue wisdom from below are concerned only with their own passions. They
cannot receive what they pray for.
Saint James
mentions the name of Jesus Christ only two times in his letter. But we know that Jesus is the personification
of wisdom from above. As we listen to
his Gospel, Saint Mark continues to reveal the mission of this incarnate wisdom
from above. Peter has correctly
identified Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One of God. But Peter cannot accept that the Father has
given a mission of sacrificial love to this Messiah. As they continue to walk the way to
Jerusalem, Jesus again tries to explain his mission as the Suffering Servant. He tells them that he will be handed over in
the passion, suffer death on the cross, and be raised on the third day.
But the
disciples cannot hear this wisdom from on high.
They are too engaged in wisdom from below. In that wisdom, they see him as a conquering
hero, like King David had been. They
envision a mighty court in which the triumphant Messiah has banished the Romans
and all their enemies forever. They are
discussing their roles in that court. We
can only imagine their arguments. Peter
brags that he has been named the rock, the guy in charge of everything. John argues that Jesus loves him more than
the others. Matthew reminds them of his
connections with tax collectors. It does
not take much imagination to reconstruct their discussion.
Jesus
dismisses this wisdom from below. He has
already served the sick, the possessed, the poor, the lepers, and all who have
come to him for help. Now he takes the
position of a teacher by sitting down and instructing the twelve about their share
in his mission. Instead of grasping for positions
of power and prestige, they must do what he is doing. They cannot assume the regal positions of
those in authority. Instead, they must
be humble servants, willing to give their lives away. To make his point, he takes a child and
places the child in their midst.
Children in the ancient world had not status and no rights. As Apostles, as those in leadership
positions, they must receive insignificant people in the same way that the
Father has sent him.
Jesus is
speaking directly to us. If we claim to
be his disciples, we must be humble servants.
We must receive the most insignificant among us as we would receive
him. We cannot embrace wisdom from
below. If we dig in our heels and refuse
to listen to those in legitimate authority, we are erecting barriers that harm
our community. If we seek prestige or
power, we put our community at risk of conflicts and divisions. If we look for recognition or praise, we miss
the wisdom of humble service. If we
close ourselves off to those who are different from us, we risk closing
ourselves to Christ himself. Jesus is
present to us in Word and Sacrament, giving us strength to embrace wisdom from
above. We can be instruments of his
saving presence, bringing to our parish the peace that only God can give.
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