25th SUNDAY, YEAR B: REFLECTION BY FR JULIAN EKEH
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(Mark 9:30-37)
It is very obvious that in our
various associations, institutions, organizations, and unions, we have
conflicts, we have cold wars, we have full-blown wars, we have
misunderstandings, and we have quarrels
Why can't we live in peace, why
can't we enjoy harmony, why are we not growing, why are we stunted, why are we
spending much of our times, resources and ingenuity foiling, packaging and
sponsoring chaos, disunity, banditry, terrorism, agitations, etc?
Why is the Church not where it
should be? Why is the government wasting its tenures fighting over frivolities?
Why are brothers and sisters at enmity with each other? What's happening to the
things that held us together? Why can't the pastor and the people of God be at
peace? Why are the Christian men fighting against one another? Where are
Christian mothers scandalously competing against each other? Why are there unhealthy criticisms right,
left, and centre?
Jesus became interested in these
discussions among humans. He inquires into it today.
WHAT ARE YOU DISCUSSING ON THE WAY?
Jesus had just finished
discussing with the apostles on how to lay down one's life, He went as far as
using His own life as an example. But as they journeyed along the apostles
started another discussion, a discussion that was a contraction to Christ's
wish, a discussion that was not in line with the Divine order, a discussion
they wouldn't like Christ to hear. Jesus heard them anyway. He knew what they
were discussing. Yet He asked: What were you discussing? The word of God today
said: "They were silent; because on the way they had discussed with one
another who was the greatest."
Jesus is asking us today the
topic of our discussion. In the face of the problems, crises, and difficulties
we are facing in our world, Africa, Nigeria, and states. What are our leaders
discussing? Election, of course, defections here and there, jumping around the
ruling party.
What are our religious leaders
discussing? Is it not popularity, positions, connections, power tussles, etc?
What is the major issues in our
villages and towns if not which town should come first and which should come
last, we see neighbouring villages
fighting one another because of traditional kingship and autonomy, to get
political recognition and accumulations. Things continue to fall apart, and the
centre cannot hold.
What are the led discussing if
not how to overthrow the leaders, and what are the leaders discussing if not
how to hold tight their positions while lording it over the people. Should this
be the case? Do we really know what
makes one great in the sight of God? Are we not making mistakes by pulling
others down to exalt ourselves?
Let us stop our vainglorious
discussions and hear what Christ has to say. He gives us the example of the
little child.
THE CHILD: THE SOLUTION TO THE MATTER
When Jesus found out that the
problem was about who was the greatest, He turned and focused on the child as
the solution to that problem. Let us receive the lessons from the child in
Christ's arms. The child represents humility. The child stands for simplicity.
The child means sincerity and innocence. The child is openness to growth,
innovation, and greatness. The child is godly.
For us to be great, my dear
people of God, we have to learn to be like the child.
Someone said that for a particular
country to be good again that the elders and mature people should all be
murdered. I agree with that. Let us put to death the aged corruption in us. Let
us take up the child-like love that makes us see no difference between the rich
and the poor. Let us be humble like the child to say I am sorry, come to
roundtable discussion, and move on. Let us reconcile our differences and stop
killing one another.
Once we embrace the simple life
of the child, the holy life of the children of God, total resignation to the
will of God and dependence on God while taking each other as one, all the
useless things that used to matter for us will stop to matter. May God bless
His word in our hearts.
LET US PRAY
Eternal God, we thank You for
Your concern over the secret problems of our life. Listen to the discussions of
our people and blot out our evil preoccupations. Give us your grace to put a
stop to the wars of pride and prejudices. Make us instruments of Your peace and
bless us with servant-leaders that would lead us to greatness through Christ
our Lord. Amen.
Happy Sunday (25th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr. B)
Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh
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