Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent,
March 15, 2017
1st Reading: Book of Jeremiah 18:18-20.
The people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem said, “Come, let us contrive a plot against Jeremiah. It will not mean the loss of instruction from the priests, nor of counsel from the wise, nor of messages from the prophets. And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue; let us carefully note his every word.” Heed me, O LORD, and listen to what my adversaries say. Must good be repaid with evil that they should dig a pit to take my life? Remember that I stood before you to speak in their behalf, to turn away your wrath from them. The word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm: 31(30):5-6.14.15-16.
R/. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
Holy Gospel: Matthew 20:17-28.
As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My cup you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left (, this) is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The gospel of the Lord.
WEDNESDAY REFLECTIONS:
However, it’s important to note that she didn’t actually realize what she was asking. And if she did realize what she was asking, she may not have asked Jesus for this “favor” at all. Jesus was going up to Jerusalem where He would take up His throne of the Cross and be crucified. And it was in this context that Jesus is asked if James and John could join Him on His throne. This is why Jesus asks these two Apostles, “Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” To which they respond, “We can.” And Jesus confirms this by telling them, “My chalice you will indeed drink.” They were invited by Jesus to follow in His footsteps and to courageously give their lives in a sacrificial way for the love of others.
They were to abandon all fear and were to be ready and willing to say “Yes” to their own crosses as they sought to serve Christ and His mission. Following Jesus is not something we ought to do half way. If we want to be a true follower of Christ then we, too, need to drink the chalice of His Precious Blood deep into our souls and to be nourished by that gift so that we are ready and willing to give of ourselves to the point of a total sacrifice. We need to be ready and willing to hold nothing back, even if that means the greatest of sacrifice.
Pray with me: Lord, may my love for You and others be so complete that I hold nothing back. May I give my mind only to Your Truth and my will to Your Way. And may the gift of Your Precious Blood be my strength on this journey so that I may imitate Your perfect and sacrificial love.
Jesus, I trust in You that You alone will heal our sick brethren and set them free. May the souls of our faithful departed brethren rest in perfect peace, amen.
Sourced by Wiezman Eleanya