Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
(Jeremiah 18:18-20; Matthew10:17-28)
What should alarm us almost as much as the violence
terrorists perpetrate is their profession of faith in God. They claim to honor God by killing
children! They can hardly be forgiven
because of ignorance of God. Most anyone
who thinks at all should realize that God would not want mutilated innocent creatures
of His hand. Unfortunately, violent people
have lived in every age and society. An
example is found in the first reading today and a situation of a similar kind
in the gospel.
Jeremiah’s critics are plotting to kill him. They do not seem to fear a judgment from God,
but only one from their religious leaders.
In the gospel James and John evidently convince their mother to petition
their promotion to high places in the coming kingdom. The fact that Jesus has just predicted his
betrayal and death does not impress them at all. They hear of a promised resurrection as a
golden rocket sending them to fame and fortune.
The mission of the Church is severely compromised by
opportunists who use Jesus rather than obey him. Many young people no longer bother with
religion because of pedophile priests and racist churchgoers. We will have difficulty making up for these
sins. But we begin to do so by responding
to Jesus’ call for humble servants.
