Daily Readings - Wed Mar 20 2019
Jeremiah
18And they said: "Come, and let us devise a plan against Jeremiah. For the law will not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor a sermon from the prophet. Come, and let us strike him with the tongue, and let us pay no attention to any of his words.19Attend to me, O Lord, and hear the voice of my adversaries20Should evil be rendered for good? For they have dug a pit for my soul! Remember that I have stood in your sight, so as to speak on their behalf for good, and to avert your indignation from them
Matthew
17And Jesus, ascending to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside in private and said to them18"Behold, we are ascending to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be handed over to the leaders of the priests and to the scribes. And they shall condemn him to death19And they shall hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified. And on the third day, he shall rise again.20Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him, with her sons, adoring him, and petitioning something from him21And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Declare that these, my two sons, may sit, one at your right hand, and the other at your left, in your kingdom.22But Jesus, responding, said: "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink from the chalice, from which I will drink?" They said to him, "We are able.23He said to them: "From my chalice, indeed, you shall drink. But to sit at my right or my left is not mine to give to you, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.24And the ten, upon hearing this, became indignant with the two brothers25But Jesus called them to himself and said: "You know that the first ones among the Gentiles are their rulers, and that those who are greater exercise power among them26It shall not be this way among you. But whoever will want to be greater among you, let him be your minister27And whoever will want to be first among you, he shall be your servant28even as the Son of man has not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a redemption for many.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound lessons on sacrifice, service, and trust in God’s plan. The first reading from Jeremiah depicts the prophet facing betrayal and persecution for speaking God’s truth. Despite the plot against him, Jeremiah trusts in God’s justice, exemplifying unwavering faith amidst adversity. In the Gospel, Jesus foretells His crucifixion and resurrection, embodying the ultimate act of self-giving love. When the mother of James and John seeks prominent positions for her sons, Jesus seizes the moment to teach His disciples about true leadership, emphasizing that greatness lies in serving others, not in power.
Both readings highlight the themes of sacrifice and service. Jeremiah’s suffering and Jesus’ crucifixion illustrate the cost of standing for truth and love. The connection between the readings lies in their emphasis on selflessness. Just as Jeremiah endures for a higher purpose, Jesus’ sacrifice redeems humanity. The disciples’ ambition prompts Jesus to redefine leadership as humility and service, a lesson that resonates with Jeremiah’s steadfast trust in God.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to embrace sacrifice and service. We can apply this by putting others first, standing up for truth even in hardship, and trusting in God’s plan. The moral lesson is clear: true leadership and discipleship are rooted in humility and selflessness. Let us strive to follow Jesus’ example, trusting in God’s plan and serving others with love and humility.