Word to the Wise
Sunday, September 22, 2024 - 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time - B
[Wis 2:12, 17-20; Jas 3:16-4:3; Mark 9:30-37]Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. [James] "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. Then [Jesus] sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." [Mark]
Prestige and honor are high values in Middle Eastern culture. An insult could lead to violence!! So it was in Jesus' time. The gospels report examples of jockeying for power [and the prestige that goes with it] among the disciples. Jesus had to give them an occasional pep talk to remind them of the dangers that this kind of behavior can lead to. The Letter of James from which today's second scripture is taken says: Where do the wars and conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members?"
The problem persists in our own day. Leadership sometimes means that a title goes with a task. But if a person is more interested in the title and the prestige that goes with it, than they are with the task itself, the task will remain undone or poorly done. A nice title on a resume' does not necessarily mean effective leadership. Even a casual reading of American political history or church history will testify to this.
Those who aspire to prestigious leadership should remember what happened to Jesus. He warned the disciples to expect the same fate. The warning has to be repeated in our own day. The most effective ministry is done by those who don't care who gets praised. AMEN