
There is nothing wrong in having ambition in service when we want to rise up to be in a position to do more for the Lord our God and His people. It is self seeking ambition for personal glory that causes disharmony, jealously and rifts in relationships. And indeed there are wolves in sheep clothing among us. With their displays of faux humility which serves only to cover up their many ‘I’s of self glorification. “Praise the Lord, that I did this and I did that for Him!” Is our Lord really being praised? Was it really for His glory?
St James reminds us in today’s first reading that; Peacemakers, when they work for peace, sow the seeds which will bear fruit in holiness. Holiness which allows us to live in the presence of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And through Him we act in love to bring about healing, conversion, liberation, peace, love and joy. For ‘everything is possible for anyone who has faith.’
Let us therefore remain steadfast in our faith and in our prayers. Be strong and vigilant to avoid all that is unholy and unspiritual. So that in all that we say and do, we glorify the Lord by our lives. Amen
First reading
James 3:13-18
Show wisdom and avoid ambition
If there are any wise or learned men among you, let them show it by their good lives, with humility and wisdom in their actions. But if at heart you have the bitterness of jealousy, or a self-seeking ambition, never make any claims for yourself or cover up the truth with lies – principles of this kind are not the wisdom that comes down from above: they are only earthly, animal and devilish. Wherever you find jealousy and ambition, you find disharmony, and wicked things of every kind being done; whereas the wisdom that comes down from above is essentially something pure; it also makes for peace, and is kindly and considerate; it is full of compassion and shows itself by doing good; nor is there any trace of partiality or hypocrisy in it. Peacemakers, when they work for peace, sow the seeds which will bear fruit in holiness.
GOSPEL
Mark 9:14-29
Help the little faith I have!
When Jesus, with Peter, James and John came down from the mountain and rejoined the disciples, they saw a large crowd round them and some scribes arguing with them. The moment they saw him the whole crowd were struck with amazement and ran to greet him. ‘What are you arguing about with them?’ he asked. A man answered him from the crowd, ‘Master, I have brought my son to you; there is a spirit of dumbness in him, and when it takes hold of him it throws him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and goes rigid. And I asked your disciples to cast it out and they were unable to.’ ‘You faithless generation’ he said to them in reply. ‘How much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.’ They brought the boy to him, and as soon as the spirit saw Jesus it threw the boy into convulsions, and he fell to the ground and lay writhing there, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ ‘From childhood,’ he replied ‘and it has often thrown him into the fire and into the water, in order to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.’ ‘If you can?’ retorted Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for anyone who has faith.’ Immediately the father of the boy cried out, ‘I do have faith. Help the little faith I have!’ And when Jesus saw how many people were pressing round him, he rebuked the unclean spirit. ‘Deaf and dumb spirit,’ he said ‘I command you: come out of him and never enter him again.’ Then throwing the boy into violent convulsions it came out shouting, and the boy lay there so like a corpse that most of them said, ‘He is dead.’ But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him up, and he was able to stand. When he had gone indoors his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why were we unable to cast it out?’ ‘This is the kind’ he answered ‘that can only be driven out by prayer.’