Daily Readings - Wed Mar 16 2022
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.
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on trust in God’s providence and the call to humble service. In the first reading from Jeremiah, the prophet faces opposition and persecution from those who seek to silence him. Jeremiah cries out to God, expressing his trust in divine justice and his confidence that God sees all and will act in His time. This passage reminds us that even in the face of adversity, we must place our hope in the Lord, who is always near to those who suffer unjustly.
In the Gospel, Jesus prepares His disciples for His Passion by revealing the trials He will endure. He speaks of being handed over to death and rising again on the third day. This prediction is met with a request from the mother of James and John, who seeks places of honor for her sons in Jesus’ kingdom. Jesus uses this moment to teach the disciples about true greatness, emphasizing that authority in the kingdom is not about power but about service. He calls them to follow His example of self-giving love, even to the point of laying down one’s life for others.
These readings are deeply connected. Jeremiah’s trust in God’s justice and Jesus’ teaching on humble service both point to the same truth: our lives are not about seeking power or recognition but about surrendering to God’s will and serving others. In our daily lives, we are called to trust in God’s plan, even when it is difficult, and to embrace the humility and selflessness that Jesus modeled. Let us ask for the grace to follow Him more closely, putting the needs of others before our own and trusting that God will bring good out of all things.