Homily for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Wisdom 2:12,17-20; Psalm 54; James 3:16-4:3; Mark 9:30-37
22 September 2024
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In today’s gospel, Jesus makes the second of his third predictions of his passion and death. He is at pains to avoid all publicity and is dedicated to schooling the disciples in what is to come. But the disciples still don’t get it. They are carrying on with all the usual things that preoccupy any group of men – who is the greatest? Who is the most important? Jesus turns the focus away from their competitive instincts and status preoccupations, calling a child to himself. Placing the child in their midst, he puts his arms around the child and says to his disciples: ‘Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.’
Jesus knows what lies ahead. Heading towards Jerusalem, he puts the focus on a relationship with an innocent, powerless child, rather than on any of those relationships which might help with the advancement of power or influence, or even with short term advancement of the mission. Aware of what ultimately lies ahead, he is at home here and now with a little child, despite the incomprehension of those closest to him, his disciples who cause him such disappointment.
I come to this gospel reading with a fresh perspective. Last year, I was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. The surgery was successful. A recent blood test was not good news. I have now started some long-term treatment.
My doctor assured me, ‘Ultimately all will be well.’ The consolation for me has been that if ultimately all will be well, then all is well here and now. I am receiving excellent medical treatment, fortunate to live in a country where the best of medicines are available at an affordable price.
No matter what our situation, we Christians believe that ultimately all will be well, even if it be only in the life to come. It’s that belief that allows us to hope here and now that all is well, and that what matters is not the quest for being the greatest but the assurance that the Lord can receive us as he did the little child.
It’s that reception that allows us to put aside what James describes in the second reading as ‘jealousy and selfish ambition’ which gives rise to ‘disorder and every foul practice’. Even the disciples, even the leaders of our church, even we can be tied in knots disputing who is the greatest, who is right, and who is more worthy.
Contemplating the scene of Jesus with the child, surrounded by the uncomprehending, ambitious disciples, we hear those words of James:
‘[T]he wisdom from above is first of all pure,
then peaceable, gentle, compliant,
full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
for those who cultivate peace.’
I am grateful that the Lord upholds my life, and invite you to pray with me and the psalmist:
The Lord upholds my life.
O God, by your name save me,
and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
hearken to the words of my mouth.
The Lord upholds my life.
For the haughty men have risen up against me,
the ruthless seek my life;
they set not God before their eyes.
The Lord upholds my life.
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
I will praise your name, O Lord, for its goodness.
The Lord upholds my life.
Since the start of 2024, Fr Frank Brennan SJ has been serving as part of a Jesuit team of priests working within a new configuration of the Toowong, St Lucia and Indooroopilly parishes in the Archdiocese of Brisbane.
Frank Brennan SJ is a former CEO of Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA). His latest book is An Indigenous Voice to Parliament: Considering a Constitutional Bridge, Garratt Publishing, 2023 and his forthcoming book is ‘Lessons from Our Failure to Build a Constitutional Bridge in the 2023 Referendum’ (Connor Court, 2024).
