Daily Readings - Wed Feb 28 2018
First Reading - Jeremiah 18.18-20
Jeremiah
18Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.19Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me.20Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them.
Gospel - Matthew 20.17-28
Matthew
17And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,18Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,19And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.20Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.21And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.22But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.23And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.24And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.25But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.26But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;27And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:28Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life 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.