Daily Readings - Wed Mar 11 2020
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
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.