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 traction. It is a parallel process to the capitulations
found in today’s readings. In the first,
the people are unwilling to accept Jeremiah’s teaching that allegiance is 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 others. James and John allow their mother to promote
their advancement. Meanwhile, the other
disciples resent the brothers for reducing their chances for places of
honor.
During Lent the Lord seeks our
conversion from the ways of the world to the virtues of the Kingdom. 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 we will always 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. As a martyr, he did not need a miracle to be declared
“Blessed Stanley Rother.”
