Wednesday of the Second
Week of Lent
(Jeremiah 18-20; Matthew 20:17-28)
When politicians and prelates go to Rome, they often have one objective in mind. They want to be photographed with the pope. They may have only ten minutes with the Holy Father, not enough time to exchange more than niceties. But that is all right with them. A picture with the pope in the newspapers back home raises their status in the eyes of the people. Perhaps the mother of James and John harbors a similar motive when she approaches Jesus. She asks him to place her sons on either side of him in glory. She wants her sons to be seen as people of importance.
(Jeremiah 18-20; Matthew 20:17-28)
When politicians and prelates go to Rome, they often have one objective in mind. They want to be photographed with the pope. They may have only ten minutes with the Holy Father, not enough time to exchange more than niceties. But that is all right with them. A picture with the pope in the newspapers back home raises their status in the eyes of the people. Perhaps the mother of James and John harbors a similar motive when she approaches Jesus. She asks him to place her sons on either side of him in glory. She wants her sons to be seen as people of importance.
Interestingly Jesus does not reject the sons because of
the ambition of their mother. Rather he
questions their willingness to sacrifice themselves for him. When they seem genuinely ready to suffer on
his behalf, Jesus affirms their courage.
He knows that they need his help to fulfill their commitment to him as
disciples.
All of us do but especially those who face terminal
illness. The pain, the loneliness, and
the anger that many experience facing death makes them want to do something
outrageous. Some want to show themselves
as masters of their life by taking it.
Others try to imitate the super-wealthy by taking a lavish trip. Others desire to curse their enemies. We are wise to reject these temptations by
becoming a servant as Jesus recommends. We
do this by seeking reconciliation with adversaries and by exemplifying submission
to God’s will.
