Daily Readings - Wed Feb 28 2024
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 faith, adversity, and true greatness. The prophet Jeremiah, in the first reading, faces opposition from his own people who plot against him for his unwavering commitment to God’s message. Despite their malice, Jeremiah trusts in God’s justice, reminding us that even in the face of betrayal, our faith must remain steadfast. In the Gospel, Jesus predicts His Passion and resurrection, then teaches His disciples about humility and service. The mother of James and John seeks power for her sons, but Jesus uses this moment to redefine greatness, emphasizing that true leadership is found in serving others.
Both readings highlight the theme of opposition and redefinition. Jeremiah’s persecution underscores the cost of fidelity to God, while Jesus’ teachings challenge the disciples’ worldly ambitions. The context of Jeremiah’s time was one of impending judgment, yet he remained faithful, trusting in God’s plan. Similarly, Jesus, on the brink of His Passion, calls His followers to embrace a life of service, not power. These narratives remind us that our worth is not measured by earthly status but by our willingness to serve and trust in God’s providence.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how we respond to challenges and where we seek our validation. Like Jeremiah, we may face opposition for standing by our beliefs, but our trust in God’s plan must endure. Like the disciples, we may be tempted by earthly ambitions, but Jesus calls us to humility and service. The moral lesson is clear: true greatness lies in serving others and trusting God, even in adversity. Let us strive to live this out, finding strength in faith and joy in serving, reflecting God’s love in all we do.