Wednesday of the
Second Week of Lent
(Jeremiah 18:18-20; Matthew 20:17-28)
As in yesterday’s gospel, today’s underscores the need
for disciples to serve humbly. Coupled with
the first reading, it indicates that their humility should run so deep that it
might withstand treachery.
James and John’s mother sounds callous or, at best, foolish
as she approaches Jesus for a favor. After
he reveals the agony awaiting him in Jerusalem, she requests positions of
privilege for her sons! But Jesus shows
no outrage. Rather he asks if the two
are ready to join him in suffering. When
they say that they are, he tells them that he does not have the right to
promise them anything. The passage
indicates, however, Jesus’ displeasure with the rest of the disciples. When they display anger with the brothers for
allowing their mother to do their bidding, Jesus tells them not to fret over
positions of privilege. Rather they are
to concentrate on how best to serve the Kingdom.
When we forget about what we might receive for doing
good, we will find ourselves doubly rewarded.
We will come closer to our remote goal of eternal life, and, wonderfully,
we will receive temporal favors. These gifts
come, again, after losing ourselves in serving the Kingdom.
