There are two distinct and opposing paths, which today's readings clearly point out. On the one hand, there is the path of conflict, inflicting violence on others out of our own pride and envy. And on the other, the path of accepting violence, with humility and for the salvation of others.
The path of conflict is evident in the first reading. For some, in their envy, the righteous man is an affront. His goodness bothers them because it highlights their wickedness. Sometimes we resent the goodness, simplicity or generosity of others, because they highlight our lack of those qualities. And then we assume ill will in them and want to catch them: "They can't be that good. Let's make them fall". Or as the sacred text says: "Let us lie in wait for the righteous, who is troublesome to us: he is opposed to our way of acting.".
And as James says in today's second reading: "Where there is envy and rivalry, there is turbulence and all kinds of evil deeds.". Jealousy and bad ambition in ourselves lead us to division and quarrel with others, no matter how much we try to disguise our bad motives under the make-up of righteousness: we fool ourselves into thinking we are right in feeling and doing what we do, but it is a lie.
The Gospel offers us a very different attitude. Christ announces that violence will be exercised against him. As the supreme righteous one, the forces of evil hate him and his goodness with special venom. But instead of inflicting violence on others, he accepts violence against himself and literally rises above it. "The Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men; they shall kill him, but he shall rise again the third day."
The irony, however, is that Jesus' own disciples do not understand this humble spirit of self-denial and display the same pride that will lead to violence, arguing among themselves who is the greatest. They show what James calls "passions at war within you". These passions lead to violence. Jesus, with sublime control of their passions, gently teaches them the need for a humble childlike spirit, placing a child in their midst and telling them that to receive a child is to receive him and his Father. Instead of proudly aspiring to subjugate others by violently seeking power, Jesus teaches, let us have the humility to turn violence against ourselves into saving love and to serve God's little ones.
Homily on the readings of Sunday 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Priest Luis Herrera Campo offers his nanomiliaA short one-minute reflection for these Sunday readings.
