Homily For Wednesday Second Week of Lent Year B, 28th February, 2024

Readings: Jer. 18:18-20; Ps.31; Matt. 20:17-28

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

WHY THIS EXCESS DESIRE FOR POWER?

 

One of the 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 the readings of today. In the Gospel passage, this ugly attitude was displayed when the mother of the sons of Zebedee came with her sons to make a request from Jesus that he should promise that her two sons may 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 the mother of the 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, why this excess desire for power? We have forgotten that true greatness is found in sincere service to others and not in over ambition for power or plotting against others as we have in our first reading, where we see people plotting the downfall of a virtuous man. They intend to deal cruelly with him because he has commented on their evil ways of life. They intend to test him and see if he will break under pressure and become like them. This ugly attitude is what we often experience in our families, societies and our country today. Where people do all kinds of evil in order to grab power and sustain it.

 

I don’t know what your experience has been. I don’t know which of the characters in our readings can best describe our attitude towards power. Are we like the mother of 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? Is our attitude like that of those potting the downfall of the prophet of God? Or that of prophet Jeremiah who was a victim.

 

Whichever 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 downfall 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: Heavenly Father, we are often consumed by excess love for power, which we have often misused and abused.  As we listen to your teaching today, may we learn to use the power and authority entrusted to us in humble service to the common good of all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed day.