Daily Readings - Wed Feb 28 2018
Jeremiah
18Then they said, "Come, let us make plots against Jeremiah, for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, let us strike him with the tongue, and let us not pay attention to any of his words."19Hear me, O LORD, and listen to the voice of my adversaries.20Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for my life. Remember how I stood before you to speak good for them, to turn away your wrath from them.
Matthew
17And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them,18"See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death19and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day."20Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something.21And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom."22Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" They said to him, "We are able."23He said to them, "You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."24And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers.25But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.26It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,27and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,28even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Sermon
Today’s readings guide us through themes of suffering and service, inviting us to reflect on our faith journey. In the first reading, Jeremiah faces opposition for his prophetic messages. The people plot against him, seeking to silence his voice. Despite this, Jeremiah remains faithful, trusting in God’s justice and continuing to speak on behalf of the people, even when they turn against him. His situation reminds us that standing up for what is right can lead to persecution, but our trust in God’s plan should sustain us.
In the Gospel, Jesus predicts his Passion, revealing that true leadership is about service and sacrifice. When the mother of James and John asks for positions of honor, Jesus uses the opportunity to teach the disciples about humility. He explains that greatness is not about power but about serving others. This lesson is reinforced by Jesus’ own mission, where he gives his life as a ransom for many. The disciples’ indignation at the request highlights the contrast between worldly ambition and the selfless love Jesus exemplifies.
These readings remind us that our faith calls us to embrace humility and service. Like Jeremiah, we may face challenges for our beliefs, but trusting in God’s plan gives us strength. Like the disciples, we are called to reorient our ambitions, understanding that true greatness lies in serving others. Let us strive to follow Jesus’ example, living lives of humble service and trusting in God’s providence, even in the face of adversity.