Sunday Readings Commentary and Reflections 25 th Sunday in the Ordinary Time B September 20, 2015 In preparation of this Sunday’s liturgy As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1 st reading: Wisdom 2, The wicked say: Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training. 17 Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him. 18 For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. 19 With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. 20 Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him. The focus is on the just one.

Textual Context of Wisdom 2, The Principal Divisions of the Book of Wisdom (NAB) I. Reward of Justice (1,1—6,21) II. Praise of Wisdom by Solomon (6,22—11,1) III. Special Providence of God on God’s Mercy (11,17—22,22) and on the folly and shame of idolary (13,1—15,17) Historical Context: The Book of Wisdom was written 100 years before Christ by a Jew in Alexandria, Egypt, in Greek in the style of Hebrew verse. Wisdom Books / Wisdom Literature Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Wisdom*, Ecclesiasticus*

1 st reading: Wisdom 2, The wicked say: Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with violations of our training. Commentary The text is about the just one whose life is being plotted against by the unjust ones (wicked). They want to make his life hard for the following reasons: He is against their evil deeds. He reproaches their transgressions He charges their violations (v.12)

1 st reading: Wisdom 2, Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him. 18 For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes. 19 With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience. 20 Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him. Vv enumerate the dirty tricks of the unjust against the just: Let us test his words, v.17 Let us find out what will happen to him, v.17 Let us see if this just one is the son of God. V.18 Let us test if God will defend him (v.18) Let us revile and torture him and find out if he is truly gentle and patient. V.19 Let us condemn him to death, v.20 In v.20, they also test God.

Reflections on the 1 st reading The just ones (the sincere ones) are not spared of intrigues and plots (negative energies) of evil people. But one just man can “torment” a lot of wicked people. The reading encourages the just to continue to be so. Their role is to make the wicked uncomfortable of their wicked ways. It encourages the wicked to abandon their plot because God will prevail over their wicked schemes. The just ones (the good ones, those who are trying hard to be holy, peaceful and kind and just) are God’s instruments in shaking away evil forces in this world.

Responsorial Ps. 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8 R. (6b)The Lord upholds my life. 3 O God, by your name save me, and by your might defend my cause. 4 O God, hear my prayer; hearken to the words of my mouth. 5 For the haughty men have risen up against me, the ruthless seek my life; they set not God before their eyes. 6 Behold, God is my helper; the Lord sustains my life. 8 Freely will I offer you sacrifice; I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.

Responsorial Ps. 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8 R. (6b)The Lord upholds my life. 3 O God, by your name save me, and by your might defend my cause. 4 O God, hear my prayer; hearken to the words of my mouth. 5 For the haughty men have risen up against me, the ruthless seek my life; they set not God before their eyes. 6 Behold, God is my helper; the Lord sustains my life. 8 Freely will I offer you sacrifice; I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness. Commentary The psalm is a prayer for help. Vv.3-4 articulate the prayer of the psalmist who is in difficulty. V.5 describes why he is in such a situation: Haughty men are against him. Ruthless men seek his life. They are Godless. In v.6, the psalmist anticipates God’s help. God will spare him from death. In v.8, he promises to offer sacrifice and praise, in freedom.

Reflections on the Psalm We must not forget to approach God when we are in trouble. We must not be ashamed to show our powerlessness to God, when we are surrounded with enemies (syndicates). In times of danger, as we pray for help, we anticipate praising God.

2 nd reading: James 3,16—4,3 16 Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace. 4,1 Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members? 2 You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask. 3 You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. The focus is on wisdom.

2 nd reading: James 3,16—4,3 16 Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace. passions 4,1 Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members? 2 You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask. 3 You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. The underlined words result from passion.

Textual Context of James 3,16-4,3 DIVISION ACCORDING TO CONTENTS (TOPICS): (R. Brown) 1:1: Greetings (Opening Formula) 1:2-18: The role of trials and temptations 1:19-27: Words and deeds 2:1-9: Partiality toward the rich 2:10-13: Keeping the whole Law 2:14-26: Faith and works 3:1-12: Power of the tongue 3:13-18: Wisdom from above 4:1-10: Desires as the cause of division 4: 11-12: Judging one another as judging the Law 4:13-17: Further arrogant behaviour 5:1-6: Warning to the rich 5:7-11: Patience till the coming of the Lord 5:12-20: Admonitions on behaviour within the community

2 nd reading: James 3,16—4,3 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace. 4,1 Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members? 2 You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask. 3 You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. Commentary The text talks about wisdom and what it brings about: peace. The opposite of wisdom is passions (also jealousy and selfish ambition, v.16). The text is emphatic on the consequences of passions: Wars, conflicts, (4,1) foul practice, covetousness, non- possession (4,2), prayer ineffective, wish not granted (4,3). Passions (4,1) = jealousy, selfish ambition (3,16). Passions stand in opposition to God and to his teachings on wisdom. In contrast, wisdom that belongs to God is peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy… see v.17

Reflections on the 2 nd reading We must possess the wisdom of God, which leads to peace. Each Christian must examine what controls him/her: passions or wisdom. Passions may be interpreted here as unbridled emotions, impulse, reactions, compulsions, addictions, irrational behavior, inordinate craving for things… If we are controlled by our passions, we will never have peace within and without. Fast and mortify.

Gospel reading: Mark 9, Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. 31 He was teaching his disciples and telling them, "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death he will rise." 32 But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him. 33 They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" 34 But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. 35 Then he 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." 36 Taking a child he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it he said to them, 37 "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." The focus is on being the greatest.

Gospel reading: Mark 9,30-37 Fate of the Son of Man, teaching not understood 30 Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. 31 He was teaching his disciples and telling them, "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death he will rise." 32 But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him. Argument on the way: who is the greatest? 33 They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" 34 But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. The greatest is the servant of all. 35 Then he 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." 36 Taking a child he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it he said to them, 37 "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." A simple outline!

Textual Context of Mark 9,30-37 Part I The Mystery of the Messiah: Revelation of Jesus' Person (1,14--8,30) Three sections, each beginning with a summary of the activity of Jesus and a narrative concerning the disciples and concluding with the adoption of an attitude in regard to Jesus. A. Jesus and the Crowds 1,14--3,6 (1,14f, 16-20; 3,60) B. Jesus and his Own 3,7--6,6a (3, ; 6,1-6a) C. Jesus, the Disciples and the Gentiles 6,6b- 8,30 (6,6b; 6,7-31; 8,27-30) Conclusion and Transition 8,27-33 Confession of Peter First Prophecy of the Passion Correction of Peter Part II The Mystery of the Son of Man: Revelation of Jesus' sufferings 8,31-16,8 A. The Way of the Son of Man 8,31--10,52 Indicated by 3 announcements of the fate of the Son of Man and 3 instructions on the lot of the disciples. B. Jesus in Jerusalem 11,1--13,37 C. Passion and Resurrection 14,1--16,8 The Later Ending 16,9-20

Jesus was teaching somewhere here. v.33 They came to Capernaum

Gospel reading: Mark 9,30-37 Fate of the Son of Man, teaching not understood 30 Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it. 31 He was teaching his disciples and telling them, "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death he will rise." 32 But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him. Commentary In v.30, Jesus and his disciples leave the Mt. of Transfiguration and journey through Galilee. Jesus wants to move incognito. In v.31, Jesus informs what will happen to him (again): To be handed over to men. They will kill him. He will rise after 3 days. In v.32, the author comments: They don’t understand; they are afraid to ask.

Gospel reading: Mark 9,30-37 Who is the greatest? 33 They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" 34 But they remained silent. They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. In v.33, they arrive at Capernaum (Jesus’ headquarters). In v.33b, Jesus asks what the disciples were arguing about along the way. The author, not the disciples, gives the answer in v.34b. About who is the greatest? A different subject matter.

Gospel reading: Mark 9,30-37 The greatest is the servant of all. 35 Then he 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." 36 Taking a child he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it he said to them, 37 "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." In v.35, Jesus takes this occasion to teach the Twelve about the greatest (the first). He is the last of all, in the list. He is the servant of all, not just of some. V.36 He receives the child in his name. (= receives also the Father) V.37

Reflections on the gospel reading Jesus defines who is the greatest. The greatest is the one who serves all, without distinction and discrimination, including little children. Jesus serves all. He is the greatest, in his passion, death and resurrection. The world has a different definition on who is the greatest: Materially well-off Successful in business Prestigious, wields power

Reflections on the gospel reading The greatest according to the world serves only the ones who can give him more power, more money and more prestige. They serve themselves. If we want to be the greatest, we are obliged to serve everyone in the community, including those we don’t like. We prepare to shred off more money and power from ourselves. We become poorer or less powerful everytime we serve in the eyes of the world.

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm The first reading talks about the fate of the just one. The psalm is a prayer of a just person whose life is being threatened. The second reading talks about living in wisdom. The gospel defines who is the greatest. We talk about the greatest: servant of all (gospel), living in wisdom (2 nd reading), and being just (1 st reading).

How to develop your homily and sharing Who is the greatest? Ambitious people seek to be the greatest. They want always to be number one, the first. For them the greatest is the one who is the most wealthy, the most powerful and most prestigious, most popular, best dressed, competitive, mabenta, by hook or by crook, by all means…

In the gospel reading, Jesus defines who is the greatest. Jesus teaches his disciples how to be the greatest in the eyes of God. To be the greatest, they must serve all. (They must not be selective, choosy, picky) their love must embrace all (including those who give them headaches). You can be the number one in God’s kingdom if you don’t choose whom you serve and love. You are the greatest if your heart has a room for everyone.

The disciples missed the point when they were arguing among themselves about who is the greatest. In front of them was the greatest. They did not recognize him because they were thinking in human terms. God has a different standard. Jesus passes God’s standards. He serves all peoples, including children and society’s liabilities, and the enemies of Israel. He will soon show how it can be best demonstrated: by his sufferings and death on the cross on Mt. Calvary.

The first reading focuses on the just man. He must be the greatest also in the eyes of God. By being just (fears God, does not violate the rights of others), he torments those who are unjust. He unmasks their evil deeds. His righteousness embarrasses the wicked people. He drives them crazy. That’s why, they don’t like him. So they will find a way to put him down or eliminate him. The psalm is the prayer of the just man who feels threatened.

The second reading talks about wisdom. Wisdom is understood as gentle, peaceful, compliant, etc. It promotes peace and justice. The opposite of wisdom is passion and ambition ( mindlessness ). The reading uses the plural form “passions.” Passions lead us to chaos and destruction. We Christians must be controlled by God’s wisdom, not by our passions, if we want to live peaceful and happy lives.

What happens if we allow passions to rule over us? There will be chaos in our churches and communities. Chaos is caused by people who have unbridled passion for power, prestige and recognition. Chaos can also be caused by the underdogs or those who have been put aside, by spreading rumors and confusion. The disaffected, if they are not careful, can also demolish the good ones. What a way to waste of talents and gifts!

The readings should serve as an inspiration to the leaders of the church. Those who aspire for leadership in the society (to be the greatest) must possess the same qualities and virtues: They must be just and righteous. They must possess wisdom. Magnanimous Available to serve everyone Ability to live for one’s principles Not killers, murderers and assassins of opponents

In the eucharist, we encounter our greatest leader, Jesus Christ. In the eucharist, we meet this great leader who gives himself to us again. In this eucharist, Jesus asks us to govern our families and communities with love and devotion.

Our Context of Sin and Grace Lust for power, prestige and wealth Greedy, dirty politicians and businessmen Shameless accumulation of property and real estate Bribing the innocent and the cause- oriented War freak Mining Institutional violence Salvaging Harassments Demolition squad Passionate Wise, prudent Unworldly Principled servant- leader Just and charitable Detached from material things

Suggested Songs We are made for service Make Me a Servant Theme of Life Buhay Maging Maligaya Peace Prayer of St. Francis