Wednesday of the Second
Week of Lent
(Jeremiah 18:18-20; Matthew 20:17-28)
“The Repentant Magdalene” is a painting by the French
master Georges de La Tour. It shows a
young woman in flirtatious clothing. She
sits at a table with a mirror, a lighted candle, and a skull. She is obviously pondering which way she will
proceed in life. Will she continue drawing
attention to herself so that might enjoy worldly pleasures? Or will she follow the light of the world who
calls her to self-denial? This contrast resounds
in the readings today.
Jeremiah is constantly plagued with rejection. Not only is his call to reform spurned, but
his life is threatened. Yet he maintains
an intimate relation with God whose message he speaks. In the gospel the contrast is starker. Jesus shares with his disciples the destiny
that awaits him in Jerusalem. He will be
handed over, condemned, mocked, scourged, and crucified before rising from the
dead. Immediately afterwards the mother
of James and John approaches Jesus with the request that her sons be given
places of honor in his kingdom. She evidently
has not heard what Jesus has said about suffering.
During Lent we cannot miss Jesus’ call to take up our
crosses behind him. Yet the pleasures of
the world continue to attract our attention.
They are not bad in themselves but often can be misleading. We must choose which way we are to follow.
