One of the most important transformations in the lives of
those following Jesus is described today in the texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary. The Book of Wisdom tells us that the lifestyle of the righteous who
persist in patient pursuit of the will of God aggravates those with evil
intent. What is to be done about this? The psalmist prays that justice will see
the triumph of the righteous over the wicked. The path proposed in the letter
of James is to seek the harvest of righteousness which comes from sowing peace
through the acts of love in mercy, forgiveness, kindness and sharing. The fruits
of envy, jealousy and selfish ambition are quarrels, fights and conflict as we
strive to possess what we do not have and satisfy passions which are self centered
and for our personal promotion and gain. Friar Jude Winkler tells us that the
disciples in the passage from the Gospel of Mark are arguing about who is the
greatest among them even as Jesus reveals for the second time, to ears that
choose not to hear, that the aggravation and anger of the religious authorities
with Him will cause them to kill him. Jesus sets the model for loving in
calling for loving service to a child, the least significant member of the society,
who cannot possibly return the service in material gain for the givers. The
patient pursuit of peace in powerlessness is service to humans in the love of
God.
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