Daily Readings - Wed Mar 08 2023
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 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.