Wis 2:12, 17-20
Ps 54
Jas 3:16-4:3
Mk 9:30-37
In the course of our daily lives we are regularly treated to scenes of people handling their emotions badly. Too often performers, athletes, and politicians—especially the politicians, both parties—throw temper tantrums in the public eye. Those tantrums are, of course, reported breathlessly by the news media thus consuming gazillions of bytes on the internet, generating too many words of empty commentary, and setting a pathetic example. Having and learning to control emotions is one of the challenges of being human. Learning to recognize and handle emotions is one of the major tasks of child and adolescent development. Some never succeed in that task. Each of today's readings involves dangerous emotions that can drive even more dangerous responses.
The first reading is both a prediction and synopsis of Jesus’ passion .
“Let us beset the just one because he reproaches us for transgressions of the law.”
“Let us condemn him to a shameful death. . . “
Jesus sealed his death warrant when he pointed out hypocrisy and sin. Sometimes the reproaches were subtle: “Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone.” Other times they were unmistakably direct: “You have made my Father’s house a den of thieves.”
Most of us don't handle criticism of our behavior very well. The critiques are frequently met with hostility if not outright rage.Telling someone “Give me the car keys you're drunk and in no shape to drive” may end a friendship.
The second reading points out two of the most dangerous and destructive of human emotions: envy and jealousy.
Envy and jealousy are not identical, synonyms, or interchangeable, though they may coexist. Envy describes wanting what the other has. Call it keeping up with Joneses. Envy is not always a negative emotion. Accruing severe credit card debt in an attempt to have the same car and granite countertops as the neighbors is damaging. However, envy may be a positive motivation to aim higher or work harder to attain a goal, as in "I wish I had grades like his. Maybe if I studied more." Jealousy, on the other hand, is the fear that someone will take what one has or possesses. The responses to that fear can range from threatening to lethal. Shakespeare made his career with plays about jealousy and its lethal effects. We heard, “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder. . . . you fight and wage war.” Human nature has not changed since these words were written, we simply have larger budgets and more powerful weapons, including social networking with which to wage war.
In response to the disciples' jockeying for power and prestige, Jesus placed a child in their midst. He was not, and is not, implying a sentimental understanding of childhood. Jesus does not suggest that childhood is a time of sweetness, light, sun, fun, wide-eyed joyful astonishment, and harmless naiveté. Childhood is not a Hummel figurine writ large. Jesus is not suggesting that children are untainted by dangerous emotions.
Children know envy and are well-acquainted with jealousy by the age of three. If sufficiently provoked they too will express, anger, fury, and violence. Just watch a few three year-olds struggling over a toy.
It can get ugly.
“Mooooooooooommmmmmmm. That's my toy!!!!!
“I WANT IT.”
“NO! It's mine.”
SMACKKKKKKK!
"Mooooooooooooommmmmyyyy, Suzy hit me."
Jesus used a child to make a point about relentless status seeking though some context is needed. Unlike the modern U.S. in which family life may be ruled by the children's whims and wants, children in the Ancient Near East had no social standing. They had no political significance. They had minimal religious responsibilities. Children were powerless. Jesus’ statement, “unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven” makes the point that status has nothing to do with entering the Kingdom of heaven. He is telling the disciples, 'stop arguing,' 'stop jockeying for position.'
Humans are habitual status seekers who crave money, power, prestige and shiny objects. We even seek status through reflected glory; how else to explain spending $150 for a football jersey with the name of the star quarterback emblazoned on the back except that the wearer is trying to proclaim status because my team's quarterback is better than yours.
Throughout the liturgical year we hear other Gospel readings that caution against pursuing, accumulating, and hoarding possessions or wealth. At the final judgment he who has the most toys when he dies will be no different from the one who dies never having had a toy in his life.
By using a child as His example Jesus emphasized the need for indifference to worldly success, power, and possessions if one wishes to enter the kingdom of heaven. Power is not bad but relentlessly seeking it to the exclusion of all else is. Wealth is not necessarily the path to hell but ruthlessly and callously chasing it is.
The Principle and Foundation that begins the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola gives good advice.
“. . . it is necessary to make ourselves indifferent to all created things. . . so that, on our part, we ought not to seek health rather than sickness, wealth rather than poverty, honor rather than dishonor, a long life rather than a short one, and so on . . .”
Once achieving status, accumulating honors, or pursuing the biggest and shiniest toys becomes the reason for our existence, we are risking the Kingdom of Heaven.
The compelling question is whether or not those toys, baubles, and power re worth that risk.
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The beginning of autumn up on Mt. Equinox is glorious. It is more subtle than the visual the full-on assault of color in October.
Fr. Jack, SJ, MD
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