James 4:1-10 / Mark 9:30-37
To "nip it in the bud" means to put a stop to something while it is still in its early development.
This phrase derives from the de-budding of plants. But more commonly it means to suppress or destroy something at an early stage.
Especially when that something is not a good thing, and when left to develop it will become a big problem later.
The 1st reading began by talking about wars and battles that spring from selfish desires.
But when we look deeper at it, those selfish desires develop from pride which is the cause of almost every sin, and maybe even the cause of the first sin in the creation account.
Similarly in the gospel, the argument among the disciples of who is the greatest is an argument that sprang of pride. Pride had led the disciples to want to be the greatest and then to argument.
Jesus immediately nipped it in the bud by teaching them that if anyone wants to be the first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.
Pride is dangerous as there is an evil power behind it and when not nipped in the bud, then it consumes us and others as well.
God opposes the proud but He gives generously to the humble. Let us nip pride in the bud and let us humble ourselves before the Lord.
Let us draw closer to God and He will draw even closer to us and grant us peace in our hearts.