September 20 - Twenty fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time: becoming the first to serve

First Reading  Wisdom 2:12,17-20
The just one is put to the test.

Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 54:3-4,5,6 & 8
A prayer for God's protection.

Second Reading  James 3:16—4:3
James teaches about the wisdom from above.

Gospel Reading
Mark 9:30-37

There is something about being human that drives us to succeed, to want to achieve things. For some people they target greatness, look at our Olympic and Paralympic athletes, for others maybe the ambition is smaller, getting the kids to eat breakfast and get to school on time is challenge enough. Ambition, drive, success and winning are the themes of today. And our teaching from Christ today seems contradictory, "If anyone wants to be first, they must ke themselves last of all." The message doesn't fit with the way we see the world ork. Our society tells us that being right, being first, being the best is all important. But society is wrong. There is nothing good or important about being first, however there is only one thing bad about being right, or first or best, and that one thing is doing something just to be right or just to be the best or just to be the first. Following our lord is not easy. He never promised it would be. Selflessness is not in our nature, pride and greed are. If you are to be a follower of Christ you needs put your human nature last to enable you to put your spiritual nature first. Work hard, but always for others, strive to do your best, but resist the urge just to be the best, if you are the best thank God that you are able to serve so well.