The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jeremiah 18:18-20
Psalm 31:5-6,14-16
Matthew 20:17-28

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture. . . .

The Son of Man has come to give his own life as a ransom for many.

Today’s readings contrast humanity’s selfish, sinful tendencies with God’s unwavering, self-giving love. Jeremiah, a young, immature prophet calls for God’s vengeance upon the Israelites plotting to kill him for delivering the Lord’s message to cease their sinning. Both Jeremiah and the Israelites had little knowledge of God’s truth and love. Their cry for vengeance only fuels the world’s never-ending cycle destructive to peace -- hatred which leads to violence that spawns revenge and results in an ever-deepening hatred.

The Psalmist, a more mature believer, doesn’t seek revenge against his enemies. He knows the loving and just God more intimately, so he fully entrusts himself to Him and asks for rescue, not revenge. This man accepts that all people and situations are in God’s providence, that whatever the results of his encounter with those hating him, he has no fear because he knows he remains, both in life and in death, in God’s hands.

Jesus in today’s Gospel predicts His passion, resurrection and establishment of His new kingdom. Typically human, the mother of James and John asks Him to assign them prominent positions there. She and her sons do not yet realize the price of suffering and even death that will be paid by Christ and His followers; the world despises those opposing its ways. Human insistence on being “number one”, refusal to make sacrifices for or concessions to others, and unforgiveness toward transgressors -- all give Christ and Christianity a bad name. When we choose self over God, bedlam prevails.

Blessed Redeemer,
break through the hardened shells encasing our hearts
and instill in us those virtues that lead to peace with You
and with one another. Amen.

- Marie Bocko, ocds
(mlbocko at borg dot com)

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posted by joachim at 4:25 AM