First Reading (Wis 2:12, 17-20). The godless plot to do away with the just one, because his blameless life is a reproach to them.
Second Reading (Jam 3:16-4:3). Jealousy, ambition, and self-seeking lead to disharmony and fighting. Gentleness, reasonableness, and mercy lead to peace.
Gospel (Mk 9:30-37). Jesus tells his apostles that he will suffer bitter humiliation and death, and says that true greatness shows itself in service towards the weaker members of the community.

The First Reading talks about the just one who serves the cause of righteousness, and suffers for it at the hands of the wicked. The ’righteous’ are those who hold on to their faith in God and obey his commandments. This passage has been seen in Christian tradition as anticipating the hostility suffered by Jesus, the suffering just one par excellence. Our reading forms a unified theme with the Gospel and with the reading from James. Testament sees Jesus as the Suffering Servant par excellence. Our reading forms a unified theme with the Gospel and with the reading from James.

In the Gospel we have the second prediction of the Passion: once again the disciples do not understand. Instead, motivated by selfish ambition, they get involved in an argument as to which of them is the greatest. This kind of ambition is condemned by Jesus and by James (Second Reading).

It is not ambition itself that is condemned, but false ambition. False ambition involves a desire to rule others. It creates conflict and division, and is very damaging to the unity of the community. True ambition, on the other hand, is the desire to serve others. The best and purest kind of service is that which is rendered to the little ones, that is, to the most insignificant persons in the community.