Daily Readings - Wed Feb 28 2018
Jeremiah
18They said, "Come, let's make plans against Jeremiah; for the teaching of the law by the priest will not be lost, nor will counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophets. So come, let's attack him with our tongues and pay no attention to anything he says."19Listen to me, O LORD; hear what my accusers are saying!20Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember that I stood before you and spoke in their behalf to turn your wrath away from them.
Matthew
17Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them,18"We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death19and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!"20Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.21"What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."22"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?We can," they answered.23Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."24When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.25Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,27and whoever wants to be first must be your slave--28just as the Son of Man did not come 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.