Transforming Our World Through Humility and Service
The readings for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, provide a powerful call to all Christians, inviting us to reflect deeply on our discipleship and how we live out our faith. Over the past few weeks, the Gospel has repeatedly challenged us to embrace a more radical and authentic form of discipleship. Today’s readings continue in that same vein, calling us to humility, trust, and service as essential components of following Jesus.
If we take these messages to heart and truly seek to live by them, our lives—and the world around us—would be transformed.
The Just One Will Suffer (First Reading: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20)
In the first reading from the Book of Wisdom, we are introduced to the plight of the just person who faces persecution and malice at the hands of the wicked. This unjust suffering is a reality for many who stand firm in their faith and refuse to compromise. We can see this echoed in the life of Pope Francis, who has faced constant misrepresentation and attacks, even from within the Church. His calls for simplicity, humility, and social justice often meet resistance, just as the just one in Wisdom was hated for living rightly.
The question for us, then, is: How do we respond when we are misunderstood or attacked for standing up for our faith? How do we respond when we are misunderstood by our spouse, our family members or our co-workers? The just one in the reading trusts that God will vindicate him in the end, and so should we. It’s a call to perseverance and trust in God’s ultimate justice, even in the face of trials.
Trusting in God’s Protection (Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 54)
Psalm 54 echoes this theme of trust. The psalmist, surrounded by enemies, cries out to God for help. His prayer is not one of despair, but one of confident hope: “Behold, God is my helper; the Lord sustains my life.”
In our lives, we too face moments where we feel under attack or overwhelmed. The world’s wisdom may tell us to take matters into our own hands, but the psalm reminds us to trust in God’s protection. Standing before the image of Divine Mercy, the prayer “Jesus, I trust in you” takes on deeper meaning. Even if clarity doesn’t come, the peace of God does—and that peace can sustain us in the darkest of times.
True Wisdom is Peaceful and Humble (Second Reading: James 3:16—4:3)
In his letter, St. James contrasts two kinds of wisdom: the earthly wisdom that leads to jealousy and ambition, and the wisdom from above, which leads to peace, gentleness, and mercy. James warns that when we chase after personal gain, conflicts and divisions naturally follow.
This passage is a reminder for us to examine our own hearts. Are we driven by worldly ambitions, seeking recognition and status, or are we guided by the wisdom of God, which calls us to humility and service? Living by God’s wisdom brings peace—not only in our lives but also in our relationships with others. It’s a wisdom that seeks the good of others, not self-promotion.
Greatness Through Service (Gospel: Mark 9:30-37)
In today’s Gospel, Jesus turns the idea of greatness on its head. While the disciples argue about who is the greatest, Jesus brings a child into their midst and teaches them that to be first, one must be the servant of all. The child, in Jesus’ time, was not a symbol of innocence as we often see today, but of low status, dependence, and vulnerability.
By inviting us to become like children, Jesus is calling us to embrace humility and dependence on God. Childlike faith doesn’t mean being childish, but it means trusting God wholeheartedly, just as a child trusts their parents. Children believe their parents are capable of anything, and we, too, are called to that same level of confidence in God’s power, love and mercy.
This also means that we are called to serve those who are vulnerable and overlooked, just as Jesus did. Our greatness in God’s eyes is not measured by our accomplishments or status, but by how much we are willing to lower ourselves in service to others.
Conclusion: A Call to Transformation
The readings for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time challenge us to take a hard look at how we live our faith. Are we willing to embrace humility, service, and childlike trust in God? These are not easy lessons, but they are essential for anyone who seeks to follow Jesus. As we reflect on these readings, let us pray for the grace to live them out more fully in our daily lives.
May we echo the prayer of Divine Mercy: “Jesus, I trust in you.” Help me to trust you more. And may we find peace in knowing that even if we face trials, misunderstandings, or uncertainties, God is with us, guiding and transforming us into the people He has called us to be.
