TRUE GREATNESS IS FOUND IN HUMILITY AND SERVICE

Homily for the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Bible Readings: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; James 3:16-4:3; Mark 9:30-37

In our world today, people often equate greatness with power, fame, and wealth. We see competitions in almost every sphere of life, where people fight and kill for positions, recognition, and authority. But today’s readings remind us of a deeper, truer form of greatness - one rooted not in dominance or ambition, but in humility, service, and reliance on God.

The first reading from the Book of Wisdom presents the voice of the wicked, who plot against the just person because his very life is a challenge to their way of living. The wicked resent the just person’s integrity and righteousness because it reveals their own flaws. They resolve to test him, even to the point of death, to see if God will indeed protect him as the just man believes (Wisdom 2:12, 17-20).

This passage mirrors the suffering of Christ, the ultimate Just One, who was rejected, mocked, and eventually crucified. The underlying message here is that fidelity to God’s will often brings resistance from those who live contrary to it. However, it also reminds us that suffering borne for righteousness is not wasted; it is vindicated by God. The just man’s trust in God, even in the face of persecution, serves as a powerful witness to those around him, much like Jesus’ own faithfulness on the way to the cross.

In the second reading, St. James speaks to the community about the dangers of jealousy, selfish ambition, and the resulting disorder. He contrasts this with the wisdom that comes from above, which is pure, peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy. St. James reminds us that conflicts, wars, and even inner turmoil arise from our unchecked desires. Often, we want things that feed our pride, ambitions, or selfish pleasures, and when these go unfulfilled, we lash out in anger or jealousy. This reading aligns with the theme of humility. True wisdom is not aggressive or competitive; it is marked by peace and gentleness. When we embrace humility and allow God’s wisdom to guide our actions, we begin to bear fruits of peace and righteousness, which serve as evidence of our growth in holiness.

In the Gospel, Jesus predicts his passion and death for the second time, but the disciples fail to understand. They are more concerned with debating who among them is the greatest. Jesus seizes this moment to teach them that in the Kingdom of God, greatness is not measured by rank or status, but by humility and service.

He brings a child into their midst and says, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me.” A child in the ancient world represented someone of low status, without power or influence; a child is a symbol of vulnerability. By identifying with the child, Jesus challenges his disciples - and us- to rethink our ideas of greatness. To be truly great in God’s eyes, we must be willing to serve, especially those considered least by the world’s standards; those that the society has placed at the margins. True greatness is found in serving others, in lifting up the lowly, and in being humble enough to recognize that our worth comes not from what we achieve, but from how we love and serve.

Jesus’ message is radical because it flips societal values upside down. It is not the powerful, the rich, or the influential who are closest to God’s heart, but the humble, the weak, and the marginalized. In serving others, particularly those who cannot repay us or elevate our status, we serve Christ himself. These readings speak to us today. In a culture that often celebrates self-promotion, Jesus calls us to humble ourselves and seek greatness through service. The more we forget ourselves in loving others, the more we align ourselves with the heart of Christ. This is why those who serve the most, often in hidden or unglamorous ways, are truly great in God’s eyes. May we embrace the call to humble service, trusting that in God's Kingdom, the last shall be first, and the greatest are those who serve with love.