25th Sunday in Ordinary Time - B 2024

Today, I want to focus primarily on the second reading from the letter of Saint James.  James writes to Jewish converts to Christianity who were under pressure from their fellow Jews for not joining in rebellion against the Roman government.  Jesus had already warned them not to get involved, instructing them to flee when they saw Jerusalem surrounded by armies.  History confirms that Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D., and the temple was never rebuilt.  When James asks, “Where do the wars and conflicts among you come from?” he highlights how unruly passions, emotions, and desires were leading many to destruction.

Now, let’s turn to the Gospel.  Last week, we heard Jesus give the first prediction of His passion, telling His followers to deny themselves, take up their crosses, and follow Him.  This week, as He gives His second passion prediction, the disciples are arguing about who is the greatest—a strikingly petty concern, given the gravity of the message Jesus had just shared with them.  But instead of rebuking them for desiring greatness, Jesus teaches that true greatness comes through humility: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”  He places a child before them and says that whoever receives a child like this receives Him and the One who sent Him.

There is a common theme and message shared between the second reading and the Gospel.  We need to heed Saint James’ warning that unchecked passions can lead to our downfall.  If we let jealousy and selfish ambition control us, it will only lead to discord and destruction.  The apostles were caught up in their own passions, their own desires for greatness.  But Jesus doesn’t dismiss their desire.  Instead, He redirects it.  He shows that true greatness is found in becoming like a child—dependent on God.  Our passions, while not bad in themselves, can mislead us if they are not directed towards a good and holy end.

We live in a world that constantly tells us to follow our desires, to be self-reliant, and to seek our own greatness.  “You do you” is a popular mantra which is essentially an encouragement to follow your own desires and whims.  People will tell you to follow your heart.  But this isn’t always good advice.  We first need to ask “What is my heart directed towards?  Is it directed towards Christ or something else?”  Instead of the encouragement to follow your own passions and desires, Jesus offers us a radically different path.  He calls us to humility, to dependence on God, and to the recognition that we are not the source of our own happiness.  And greatness is found in littleness.

So, how do we live out this dependence on God in a culture that preaches self-reliance?  What does it mean to submit our passions to Him?

First, it means beginning each day with prayer, asking God to guide us and acknowledging that we need Him.  Instead of rushing into our plans, we pause to invite Him into every decision, every desire, every struggle.  This act of daily surrender helps us re-center our lives on God’s will rather than our own ambitions.  Perhaps we may find that we need to adjust our plans because my desires and passions are unruly and directed towards Him.

Second, we turn to the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist and Confession.  These are powerful avenues of grace that help us to grow in humility and dependence on God.  In the Eucharist, we receive Jesus Himself, who strengthens us to resist the temptation to rely on ourselves.  In Confession, we acknowledge our weaknesses and sins, seeking God’s mercy and grace to heal us and transform our passions.

Third, we can practice small acts of humility.  For example, choosing to serve others without expecting recognition, or letting go of our pride in an argument, can be concrete ways to learn dependence on God.  These simple actions remind us that greatness in the Kingdom of God is found in being last, in putting others before ourselves without always being recognized.  Look for opportunities to put your ego to death.

Ultimately, God wants us to aspire to greatness, but it’s a greatness found in humility and dependence on Him.  When we submit our desires to God, we are not diminished but elevated.  Let’s not be afraid to place Him first in our lives and trust that, like a good parent, He knows what is truly best for us.