The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, February 23, 2004
Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
St. Polycarp, bishop and martyr

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:

Thank goodness for the bold mother looking out for the status of her sons, the sons of Zebedee! She so clearly states the goals of so many, embedded in this secular society, all these more than two thousand years later. The wife of Zebedee, with her motherly enthusiasm for her sons, gives us the opportunity to hear the clear message of Christ one more time, even as He walks toward Jerusalem. It is the message of 'service' to serve our brothers and sisters. In case the disciples still didn't internalize the message, they would later see Christ kneeling at their feet, and humbly washing them at the Last Supper. It's a good message to ponder as we move along in this Lenten journey.

The second part of the gospel is a bit more complex, as Christ asks His disciples if they will be able to drink from the 'chalice' which He drinks, referring to the suffering which He will endure. Perhaps that is more difficult for us to answer. Most of us have an idea of how well we are doing at serving others. Evaluating how we do at drinking of the 'chalice' calls for an ongoing awareness of how we are at accepting and even embracing the day to day 'crosses' that come our way. We are not expected to go out and look for 'crosses' to bear. Most of us have more than enough crosses. It is how-accepting of those spiritual opportunities that is key.

In conclusion, it is consoling to realize from the very words of Christ, that His Father has prepared a place for each of us!

Holy Mary, who washed the feet of baby Jesus,
and later His bloody feet after the crucifixion,
please intercede for us.

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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posted by joachim at 4:33 AM