Daily Readings - Wed Mar 08 2023
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on trust in God’s plan and the call to selfless service. In the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah faces opposition and betrayal from his own people, who conspire against him because of his unwelcome message. Despite this, Jeremiah places his trust in God, knowing that He sees all and will ultimately vindicate him. This passage reminds us that following God’s will often leads to challenges and misunderstandings, but faith in His providence sustains us.
In the Gospel, Jesus predicts His passion and death, revealing the ultimate act of self-giving love. When the mother of James and John asks for places of honor for her sons, Jesus uses the opportunity to teach about true greatness. He explains that leadership in His kingdom is not about power or prestige but about serving others. The disciples, who were indignant at the request, are reminded that their calling is to imitate Jesus’ humility and sacrifice. This teaching challenges us to examine our motivations and to embrace a life of service, just as Christ did.
Both readings call us to trust in God’s plan, even when it leads to suffering, and to live out our faith through selfless love. Like Jeremiah, we may face opposition for standing by our beliefs, but God remains faithful. Like Jesus, we are called to surrender our desires for recognition and instead serve others with humility. Let us ask for the grace to trust in God’s plan and to live as servants, following the example of Christ, who gave His life for the redemption of many.