On this Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the readings invite us to reflect on the stark contrast between human selfishness and divine humility, between the desire for greatness and the call to servanthood.
In the first reading from the Book of Wisdom, we hear the voice of the wicked plotting against the just one, someone who challenges their corrupt ways. They mock the just one’s faith in God, questioning if God will truly protect him in the face of suffering. This foreshadows Christ, the ultimate “Just One,” who would face condemnation, suffering, and death. Jesus’ own life is a witness to this prophecy—He was reviled, tortured, and killed. But in His resurrection, He proved the truth of God’s power and vindication. This reading also reminds us that living righteously often brings opposition, yet we are called to trust in God’s justice, even when it is unseen.
In the second reading, St. James offers a direct teaching on the root of human conflict: jealousy, selfish ambition, and disorder. These inner desires lead to division, both within ourselves and among others. James contrasts this with the wisdom from above, which is pure, peaceable, and full of mercy. We are challenged to look at our own hearts—are we driven by ambition, or by the desire for peace? Do we cultivate humility and gentleness, or do we give in to the passions that wage war within us? Only by embracing God’s wisdom can we bear the fruit of righteousness and peace in our lives.
Finally, in the Gospel, we see the disciples caught up in a very human argument: who among them is the greatest? Jesus, knowing their hearts, teaches them a profound lesson. True greatness, He says, is found not in power or status but in humility and service. To illustrate this, He places a child in their midst. In the ancient world, children were considered the least significant members of society, but Jesus embraces the child and says that receiving one such as this is to receive Him—and, ultimately, to receive God. In this gesture, Jesus turns worldly values upside down. To follow Him is to serve the least, to embrace humility, and to put others before ourselves.
As Christians, we are called to live in this upside-down Kingdom of God, where the last are first and the greatest are those who serve. Let us examine our hearts today and ask for the grace to let go of selfish ambition and to embrace the way of humility, trusting in God’s justice and wisdom. By doing so, we follow the example of Christ, who became the servant of all, and in His service, found true greatness.