THE BATTLE OF THE RIGTHEOUS

Meditation for 25^TH Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
(Wis 2:12, 17-20; James 3:16-4:3; Mk 9:30-37)

1.0.         THE MOTIONS OF EVIL

By its very existence, evil opposes good; evil fights for dominance and survival by trying to overcome the good. Still, it is this very battle to suppress the good that destroys evil and exalts the good. In other words, evil is self-defeating! This internal struggle of self-defeating and self-survival makes evil restless. So, evil finds itself sentenced by the peace and silence of the good. That is why it falsely approaches the good with aggression, blaming the good for its self-defeat and self-destruction. But evil cannot overcome the good because the good exists, and on its own, while evil’s existence is ‘the opposition of the good.’ That is why St Augustine said that EVIL IS A PRIVATION.

Therefore, those who harbor evil intents such as jealousy, selfishness, greed, pride, etc will always find people of righteousness and prayer very inconveniencing and annoying; the ungodly will always ‘lie in wait’ against the righteous ones, while admiring their courage, peace and freedom. This is what the first reading demonstrated clearly. “Let us condemn him to a shameful death, for, according to what he says, he will be protected.”

2.0.         THE FLIHT TO WISDOM AND HUMILITY

The restless character of evil is manifested wherever it exists, no matter how little it might be. The second reading warns that those who entertain any trace of evil, such as jealousy and selfish ambition, will exhibit disorder and vile practices. And such persons will bring disunity and fight among the community or family. “But the wisdom from above is pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity.” To such, when they pray, God will answer because they do not spend what they have received on their passions.

In Gospel, Jesus, the Righteous One, who in Himself must confront and overcome the ancient hostility of evil against the good (cf. Eph 2:16). He began to explain to His disciples that He was going to take up the pain and death evil inflicts on the good and overcome it on the Cross. This is how he will lead those at war with evil to crossover to the realm of the righteous, peace and freedom. The humility of the Cross becomes the humiliation of evil! Humility becomes our escape from being infected by evil. Since the Cross of Christ is the greatest expression of humility, to carry our cross each day and follow Him humbly like a little child, is the lead way to greatness, peace and joy. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Sunday September 19th, 2021.
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