Daily Readings - Wed Mar 08 2023
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 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.