Wednesday of the
Second Week of Lent
(Jeremiah 18:18-20; Matthew 20:17-28)
As we approach the middle of Lent, we may find our initial
Lenten resolutions losing their grip on us.
It is a parallel process to the capitulations found in today’s readings. In the first, the people of Jerusalem are not
willing to accept Jeremiah’s teaching that their allegiance must be to God
alone. They want to dally with other
gods as a way of hedging their bets on divine assistance. In the gospel no one seems to grasp what
Jesus is saying about self-sacrifice for the good of the people. James and John allow their mother to promote
their advancement. Meanwhile, the other disciples don't want
to lose their chance of sitting on the places of honor.
The conversion that the Lord seeks of us and to which we consent
on Ash Wednesday runs against the ways of the world. Where the world says “look out for number
one,” Jesus tells us to “lose our lives for his sake and for the gospel.” We have to renew our efforts continually so
that one day we will be able to serve others joyfully.
The saints model Jesus’ self-abnegation for good of
others. Stanley Rother was an American
priest defending the rights of the indigenous in Guatemala during the 1970’s
and early 1980’s. He was threatened with
death if he did not leave his parish. In
fact, he tried going away but made the realization that, as he said, “a
shepherd cannot run from his flock.” He
returned to Guatemala where shortly afterwards gunmen entered his rectory and
killed him. He has recently been
declared “Blessed” by Pope Francis.
