Homily For Wednesday of the Eight Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 26th May, 2021. The Memorial of St. Philip Neri

 Homily For Wednesday of the Eight Week in Ordinary Time Year B, 26th May, 2021. The Memorial of St. Philip Neri

Readings: Sir. 36:1-2.5-6.11-17, Ps.79; Mark 10:32-45

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

 THE SECRET OF GREATNESS IS ROOTED IN SINCERE SERVICE TO  OTHERS

One of the most ugly attitudes of most of our leaders today is the love of power, people are ready to do anything just to grab power. People kill, kidnap, blackmail and condemn others because of their ambition to hold power and sustain it. This ugly attitude of mankind is well displayed in  our Gospel passage today, when the two sons of Zebedee made a request from Jesus that he should promise that they should sit one at his right hand and the other at his left in his kingdom. 

This unfortunate request was made while Jesus was telling his disciples about his passion and death. But instead of reflecting on the seriousness of the words of Jesus, they were busy quarrelling over who grabs power as most people do today. For  when the other ten heard about the request made by these two sons of Zebedee, they were indignant with the two brothers. perhaps because they had misinterpreted Jesus’ teachings about the Kingdom and presumed that it would be a kingdom in which they would have honour and prestige like most people think today. 

But Jesus called them and said, ‘You know that among the pagans the rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to be great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many'. 

Dear friends, true greatness is found in sincere service to others and not in over ambition for power nor by plotting against others. This ugly attitude is what we often experienced in our families, societies and in our country today. Where people do all kinds of evil in order to grab power and sustain it. But this is not the same with Philip Neri whose memorial we celebrate today. 

St. Philip Neri was born in Florence in 1515 and died in Rome around 1595. He lived a spotless life. His desire to serve others made him after living for fifteen years as a pilgrim and hermit, he was ordained a priest. To continue this selfless service, he gradually gathered around him a group of priests and established the Congregation of the Oratory. St. Philip was a man of original character and of a happy, genial and winning disposition. A great educator of youth, he spent whole nights in prayer, had a great devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, and burned with an unbounded love for mankind. He died on the feast of Corpus Christi.

Therefore, I don’t know what your experience have been as regards to serving others? I don’t know which of the characters in our readings can best describe our attitude towards power. Are we like the sons of Zebedee? Is our attitude like that of the ten disciples? Is our attitude like that of the pagan rulers who lord it over others? Which ever category we fall in, today we are called to be humble like Jesus who came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Therefore, as leaders, we should see ourselves as servants and not seek after status beyond our reach or plot the down fall of others. Remember, ambition can be a good thing but only if it is kept in check and if pursued for the right reason, that is, to serve others. 

 LET US PRAY: Lord God, we are often consumed by excess love for power, which we often misused and abused.  As we listen to your teaching today, may we through the intercessions of St. Philip Neri learn to use the power and authority entrusted to us in humble service for the common good of all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a favourable day.