According to our first reading from the book of Wisdom, the just one is confronted with many trials because of his fidelity to God. The just one is accused of setting himself against the doings of the wicked, reproaches them for the transgressions of the law, and charges them for violations of their training.  The wicked one decided to inflict the just one with torture, condemn him to a shameful death and wait to see if God will save or deliver him. 
 
The just one obviously points to Jesus’s passion which he foretells in the Gospel. Sometimes a Christian who tries to live a just, faithful and holy life can face opposition, criticism and persecution from people who prefer evil, life of sin or worldly life. In such situations, we need to persevere and keep doing good and being obedient to the commands of God. This time calls for perseverance.
 
Jesus told his disciples a very important message, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” 
As important as this message is to Christ, his disciples did not understand the saying, why? Because they have been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest. In other words, they were concerned with selfish ambition. The inordinate desire for greatness before people did not allow them to understand a message of immense significance. It is true that selfish or worldly ambition makes it difficult to follow the ways of God.  As St. James declared, “Where jealousy and ambition exist, there is disorder.” Jealousy and ambition lead to killing, envy, quarreling, fighting.
 
Jealousy, envy, quarrelling and fighting are vices that must be rooted out of our hearts, the dwelling place of God. Jealousy against a human being who is a child of God is the same as being jealous of GOD himself. James wants us to embrace the wisdom of God which enables us to practice the virtues of peace, gentleness, mercy, and sincerity.
 
In the Gospel, Jesus invites us to embrace the virtue of humble service which is the measure of true greatness. Greatness comes from using our gifts and talents in serving the family, church, society and the world. 
Most of the financial, political and religious crises would disappear if people’s only ambition is to serve and not to seek to enhance their prestige. He said, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my Name receives me…” Jesus presents a child as a model because a child does not know jealousy or envy, selfish ambition or greatness. The child is simple, humble, not influenced. The child is one who is vulnerable and in need of service. We should desire to serve everybody as we would serve a child. 
 
Jesus wants us to dedicate all our gifts, talents and resources at the service of our brothers and sisters. Jesus wants us to serve with the right attitude, to serve with humility and love not because of what we will gain. In the church there exists many different ministries where we can serve. There is always an opportunity to serve God by serving our brothers and sisters. God created us to know him, to love him and to serve him. It’s an honor and privilege to be called to serve almighty God by serving his children wherever they may be found, in the church, home, office or the society.