Twenty Fifth Sunday -Ordinary time Sept 25, 2006

Wisdom 2:12, 17‑-20 Psalm: 54 James 3:16 ‑- 4:3 Mark 9:30‑-37

When will we wisen up? When will they ever learn?

Introduction: If the readings today give you a feeling of “Deja-vu” - I have seen these readings before and only recently. You will be correct. Last week, 24th Sunday, we heard Isaiah and the story of his being flogged and tortured. This finds an echo in today’s first reading when the Good Man is physically beaten by a bunch of bullies. In the Gospel Jesus predicts his suffering, passion, death and resurrection. Today we have a second and similar prediction. In a way I could repeat last weeks homily and get away with it. The Pity is I cannot remember what I said. However since there is Wisdom in all three readings today perhaps a reflection on “when will they ever learn” would be appropriate.

1. Our first reading is a contrast between Wisdom and Folly. Actually it is Folly or Stupidity that does the monologue. It is embarrassed by the upright life of those who live wisely and keep the law. So Folly promises three things:

Ambush and mug those who are upright

Insult and torture them

Scourge them with a shameful death.

After the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Christians would see in these words of Wisdom, a prophecy of Jesus Christ who lived a good life. Pilate would say, “I find no fault in him, and so I will scourge him and set him free.” However under the pressure from the Scribes and High Priests, Jesus is condemned to a shameful death.

When will they ever learn?

When will they learn that foolishness and wickedness will never eventually triumph, because God is always on the side of righteousness.

2. In our Second reading, we find the fourth exhortation given by St. James. It is a contrast between True and False Wisdom. There are verses that are not read today which speak of False wisdom coming from below. This is based on earthly values, earthly priorities, earthly riches. We know these values are illusionary and transitory. Whether it is Power, Wealth, or Fame. We have seen this happen time and again in our political history. You are the Prime Minister one day, and the leader of the opposition after the election, or in the case of Thailand only last week, you are the Prime Minister basking with all the perks, and a Coup d’etat leaves you in exile the next day. The Depression of the 1920-30 and the collapse of the German Deutsche mark, shows how you could be a millionaire one day, and the money is not worth the paper it is printed on the next.

James encourages us to be weaned on the Wisdom that comes from above. In the words of an old ad of Coca Cola, this Wisdom is “the real thing.” But as human beings we are captivated by the razzle-dazzle and the glitter and gold of the earthly world.

When will they ever learn?

3. Finally, the Gospel. Last week in the 8th Chapter of Mark, Jesus predicted his Passion, Death and Resurrection. The Apostles do not get the message. Their minds seem to be like Concrete: “thoroughly mixed up and firmly set.” They do not hear the message of Jesus, “the Son of Man must suffer and die, and on the third day rise again.” Peter rebukes Jesus and in turn Peter is called “Satan”.

Jesus repeats his prediction of his Passion in Ch. 9. And again for a third and final time in Mark Ch.10. However as the saying goes, “hind sight is 20-20 vision” It is easy to see the Folly and Lack of Understanding of the Disciples when Jesus speaks of His suffering, passion and Death. They have just seen the miracles of Jesus:

the walking on the water, the feeding of the multitude, the curing of the lame and the leper, the blind and the deaf.

They have seen how the crowds came to take Jesus and make him a King. We these experiences, who would not have dreams of a Pie in the Sky, and who would not want a piece of the action. Remember me when you enter your Kingdom is a cry they make now, not that of a good thief on the Cross.

James would tell the Apostles such type of Wisdom and Insight is Wisdom from below and not from above. This type of Wisdom brings Envy, Jealousy, Anger and Hatred. We see this precisely in the Argument between the Disciples.

However, if the Disciples are Simple like little Children, they would enjoy the fruits of the Wisdom that comes from above. They would not be arguing about who would be the greatest, but rather they would have fruits that are pure, peaceable, gentleness, fully of mercy. There would be no favouritism, and no hypocrisy.

When will they ever learn?

A young man was being interviewed for a job of a Pilot on a Steamboat in the Mississippi River. Seeing the youth of the applicant, the Board asked, “Young man do you know where all the Rocks are in this mighty river?” No said the Young man, but I do know where they are not. He got the Job.

Following in the footsteps of Christ, Wisdom shows us where the Rocks of Envy, Jealousy, anger and hatred are absent - and we can sail through Waters that are pure, peaceful, gentle and full of mercy. Bon Voyage