Homily For THE 25th Sunday In Ordinary Time Year B.

Wisdom 2:12.17-20; Psalm 54:3-6; James 3:16-4:3; Mark 9:30-37.

“RIGHTEOUSNESS PAYS”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide

·      There is a popular saying that “A clear conscience, fears no accusation”. A saint was once said to be in the company of his friends playing the game of chess and he was asked “What if the world comes to an end now what will you do? The saint replied; I will keep playing my game of chess”. The underlying statement in this story is that there is a need always to be prepared because righteousness truly pays.

·      The righteous have no fear of evil news because he is always at peace with himself and with God. However, the fact of being righteous can be perceived and received wrongly by onlookers. Rather than allow that righteousness to challenge, they make the righteous the target.

·      In the first reading (Wisdom 2:12.17-20), the book of Wisdom brings to bear the evil plans of the unrighteous for the righteous. The unrighteous will always set traps and obstacles in the way of the righteous because his way of life is a big challenge to them. The unrighteous will test the patience of the righteous, but we must remember the words of Christ, “In the world you have tribulations but be of good cheer for I have conquered the world” (Jn. 16:33).

·      Friends in Christ, to be righteous means to be on the Lord’s side, and those who are on the Lord’s side will always be safe and have victory because God will deliver them from the hand of their adversaries, and they will be protected. Righteousness pays!

·      The second reading (James 3:16-4:3), recounts the fruits of righteousness and the punishment for unrighteousness and encourages us to choose wisely. While unrighteousness breeds jealousy, selfish ambition, disorder, and vile practices, righteousness which is a fruit of a wise decision breeds peace, gentleness, mercy, sincerity, and the like.

·  When we choose righteousness, we are guaranteed God’s blessings, but when we choose unrighteousness, we reap the fruit of wars and restlessness because of the demands of our senseless passions. And these passions are never satisfied so we are prepared to kill, fight, and wage wars. But the righteous when they are in need, if they ask they will receive, when they knock the door will open, and when they seek they will find.

In the Gospel reading (Mark 9:30-37), Jesus sets a paradigm for all Christians on the path to righteousness. He brings our minds to focus on the more important and rewarding things. While Jesus told his disciples about his imminent death, they were more engrossed in who got what.

·      We too, in our journey through the world, can easily get distracted by the passions and attractions of the world that we lose track of the demands of righteousness. Jesus sets the paradigm that true righteousness comes from humble service. He calls us to childlikeness and not childishness.

·      He presents the child as a model of humility, forgiveness, total surrender, trust, and joy. And he tells us that to be righteous is to be like that child who is not ambitious or grasping, who is not wicked and revengeful, who does not hate and refuse to forgive, who does not accumulate for fear of going hungry tomorrow. Greatness comes through humble service to one another, that is the path to righteousness.

·      Dearly beloved, if we must be righteous and reap the fruits of righteousness then we must start by striving to be like little children who trust totally in the providence of God the Father. 

·      We pray today, that God will free us from worldly attractions that lead us to sin and unrighteousness and lead us to the things that eternally endure, through Christ our Lord, Amen!

·      Happy Sunday!!!