Daily Readings - Wed Mar 11 2020
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
The readings today present us with powerful reflections on trust, service, and the true nature of leadership. In the first reading from Jeremiah, the prophet faces opposition and betrayal from his own people, who conspire against him because of his unwavering commitment to God’s message. Jeremiah’s trust in the Lord is evident, even in the face of evil intentions. He knows that God sees all and will judge justly. This passage reminds us that standing up for what is right can sometimes lead to persecution, but our ultimate hope and trust must remain in God, who is always faithful.
In the Gospel, Jesus once again predicts His passion and death, revealing the depth of His self-giving love. When the mother of James and John asks for places of honor for her sons, Jesus uses the opportunity to teach His disciples about the true meaning of greatness. He explains that in the Kingdom of God, leadership is not about power or prestige but about serving others. This is a radical departure from the way the world operates, where authority often means domination. Jesus’ words challenge us to re-examine our motivations and ambitions, inviting us to embrace humility and selflessness in our relationships and actions.
Both readings call us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life. Jeremiah’s trust in God’s justice encourages us to remain steadfast, even when faced with adversity. Jesus’ teaching on servant leadership reminds us that true greatness lies in serving others. As we go about our lives, let us ask ourselves: Am I trusting in God’s plan, even when things seem unfair? Am I seeking to serve others rather than seeking my own interests? May we learn to surrender our ambitions to God’s will and follow Jesus’ example of humble service. In doing so, we will find true fulfillment and live as authentic disciples of Christ.