Homily of Wednesday in the Second week of Lent.
Theme: The Path to True Greatness
Ref:Jer 18:18-20; Matt: 20:17-28
By: Fr. Felix Olatunji Yayi, C.S.Sp.
Dear friends, today, being Wednesday in the second week of Lent, Jesus teaches us the meaning of greatness and shuns self-ambition. The disciples had longed for this Jesus’ visit to Jerusalem because they believed it was time to free Israel and set up his kingdom on earth. They believed it was the right time to seize the promise of position and power in his kingdom. It was time to secure the positions of rule and authority. This is what we see James and John do in today’s gospel text. They were assuring themselves of key positions in Christ’s government.
However, Jesus in his response to their request makes us learn that self-ambition is self-seeking, deceptive, misuses influence and arises from pride. Self ambition misunderstands the fact!
Jesus condemns favouritism, because Salome the mother of James and John was the sister of Mary, mother of Jesus (Mk 15:40) which means James and John were the first cousins of Jesus. The sons probably persuaded their mother to use her influence with Jesus. She became a tool for their ambition.
Jesus teaches us to know that greatness cannot be achieved by self-ambition. Greatness is not dominion over people, greatness is serving others. The greatest and the first among all are those who serve.
Many of us want to be great in life by all means available. Let us begin from the institutions of learning: many people want to succeed academically but will not want to study, you indulge in exam malpractice, you sort lecturers and so on. These are not to be found amongst Christians. We live in a country where it appears you must know someone at the top before you can get a job even if you don’t merit it, meritocracy does not exist in such a system. Christ condemns such act, today desist from actions of self-ambition, nepotism, favouritism and so on. Follow the path that leads to true greatness!
As we continue our Lenten observances we pray for a change of heart in all the spheres of our nation. We pray for a change of heart among us, citizens, to build a better society. Amen.
