Wednesday
Second Week of Lent
Jeremiah 18: 18-20
Matthew 20: 17-28
Jeremiah was one of the prophets who was
killed for doing the work of God. The first reading for this day records an
unsuccessful attempt on his life. It is
a foreshadowing of what Christ himself would experience. His enemies would try to trap him in his
speech. Jeremiah is saddened by the
reaction of the people. He knows that
his death would be unimportant because the prophetical word would not cease
with his death. God would raise up other
prophets. What saddened him was the fact
that he stood before God asking for forgiveness for the evil men who wanted his
death and they are now repaying him with more evil. But Jeremiah continues to pray for them.
In the gospel for this day, Matthew has
the mother of James and John request two places of honor for her sons. Matthew spares the reputation of James and
John by having the mother make the request but the other disciples are still
angry with the brothers. Jesus dismisses
the whole request by telling us that the Father determines such things.
Jesus then turns the whole episode into
a lesson on brotherly love. Whoever has
a position of greatness and responsibility in the Church must be the servant of
all. Jesus is the best example of one
who has come to serve others, even to the point of giving his life so that all
may be saved.
Unselfish service is what Jesus requires
of us; greatness comes from serving the needs of others without thought of
reward. God will take care of the
reward.
Sometimes in our Christian life we may
feel that we are not appreciated. When
this happens, let the perseverance of Jeremiah, and the example of Christ himself,
examples of true brotherly love and concern, be an inspiration to greater
efforts and charitable concern for all people.
By Fr. Bill Kramer
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