Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
Lectionary: 232
Lectionary: 232
The people of Judah
and the citizens of Jerusalem said,
“Come, let us contrive a plot against Jeremiah.
It will not mean the loss of instruction from the priests,
nor of counsel from the wise, nor of messages from the prophets.
And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue;
let us carefully note his every word.”
Heed me, O LORD,
and listen to what my adversaries say.
Must good be repaid with evil
that they should dig a pit to take my life?
Remember that I stood before you
to speak in their behalf,
to turn away your wrath from them.
“Come, let us contrive a plot against Jeremiah.
It will not mean the loss of instruction from the priests,
nor of counsel from the wise, nor of messages from the prophets.
And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue;
let us carefully note his every word.”
Heed me, O LORD,
and listen to what my adversaries say.
Must good be repaid with evil
that they should dig a pit to take my life?
Remember that I stood before you
to speak in their behalf,
to turn away your wrath from them.
Responsorial PsalmPS 31:5-6, 14, 15-16
R. (17b) Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
You will free me from the snare they set for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
I hear the whispers of the crowd, that frighten me from every side,
as they consult together against me, plotting to take my life.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
But my trust is in you, O LORD;
I say, “You are my God.”
In your hands is my destiny; rescue me
from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
You will free me from the snare they set for me,
for you are my refuge.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
I hear the whispers of the crowd, that frighten me from every side,
as they consult together against me, plotting to take my life.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
But my trust is in you, O LORD;
I say, “You are my God.”
In your hands is my destiny; rescue me
from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.
R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.
Verse Before The GospelJN 8:12
I am the light of
the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
GospelMT 20:17-28
As Jesus was going
up to Jerusalem,
he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves,
and said to them on the way,
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem,
and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests
and the scribes,
and they will condemn him to death,
and hand him over to the Gentiles
to be mocked and scourged and crucified,
and he will be raised on the third day.”
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons
and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.
He said to her, “What do you wish?”
She answered him,
“Command that these two sons of mine sit,
one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.”
Jesus said in reply,
“You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”
They said to him, “We can.”
He replied,
“My chalice you will indeed drink,
but to sit at my right and at my left,
this is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
When the ten heard this,
they became indignant at the two brothers.
But Jesus summoned them and said,
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and the great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves,
and said to them on the way,
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem,
and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests
and the scribes,
and they will condemn him to death,
and hand him over to the Gentiles
to be mocked and scourged and crucified,
and he will be raised on the third day.”
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons
and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.
He said to her, “What do you wish?”
She answered him,
“Command that these two sons of mine sit,
one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.”
Jesus said in reply,
“You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”
They said to him, “We can.”
He replied,
“My chalice you will indeed drink,
but to sit at my right and at my left,
this is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
When the ten heard this,
they became indignant at the two brothers.
But Jesus summoned them and said,
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and the great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Meditation: Can
you drink Christ's cup?
Who or what takes first place in your life? You and what you
want to do with your life or God and what he desires for you? When personal
goals and ambitions are at odds with God's will, whose will prevails? The
prophet Jeremiah spoke a word that was at odds with what the people wanted. The
word which Jeremiah spoke was not his personal opinion but the divinely
inspired word which God commanded him to speak. Jeremiah met stiff opposition
and even threats to his life for speaking God's word. Jeremiah pleaded with God
when others plotted to not only silence him but to destroy him as well. Jesus
also met stiff opposition from those who opposed his authority to speak and act
in God's name. Jesus prophesied that he would be rejected by the religious
authorities in Jerusalem and be condemned to death by crucifixion - the most
painful and humiliating death the Romans had devised for enemies who opposed
their authority.
Jesus called himself the "Son of Man" (Matthew 20:17)
- a prophetic title for the Messiah which came from the Book of Daniel. Daniel
was given a prophetic vision of a "Son of Man" who is given great
authority and power to rule over the earth on behalf of God. But if Jesus is
the Messiah and "Son of Man" prophesied by Daniel, why must he be
rejected and killed? Did not God promise that his Anointed One would deliver
his people from their oppression and establish a kingdom of peace and justice?
The prophet Isaiah had foretold that it was God’s will that the "Suffering
Servant" who is "God's Chosen One" (Isaiah 42:1) must first make
atonement for sins through his suffering and death (Isaiah 53:5-12) and then be
raised to establish justice on the earth (Isaiah 42:4). Jesus paid the price
for our redemption with his own blood. Jesus' life did not end with death on
the cross - he triumphed over the grave when he rose victorious on the third
day. If we want to share in the Lord's victory over sin and death then we will
need to follow his way of the cross by renouncing my will for his will, and my
way for his way of self-sacrificing love and holiness.
Seeking privilege and power
Right after Jesus had prophesied his impending death on the cross, the mother of James and John brought her sons before Jesus privately for a special request. She asked on their behalf for Jesus to grant them a special status among the disciples, namely to be placed in the highest position of privilege and power. Rulers placed their second-in-command at their right and left side. James and John were asking Jesus to place them above their fellow disciples.
Right after Jesus had prophesied his impending death on the cross, the mother of James and John brought her sons before Jesus privately for a special request. She asked on their behalf for Jesus to grant them a special status among the disciples, namely to be placed in the highest position of privilege and power. Rulers placed their second-in-command at their right and left side. James and John were asking Jesus to place them above their fellow disciples.
Don't we often do the same? We want to get ahead and get the
best position where we can be served first. Jesus responds by telling James and
John that they do not understand what they are really asking for. The only way
one can advance in God's kingdom is by submitting one's whole life in faith and
obedience to God. Jesus surrendered his will to the will of his Father - he
willingly chose the Father's path to glory - a path that would lead to
suffering and death, redemption and new life.
When the other ten disciples heard what James and John had done,
they were very resentful and angry. How unfair for James and John to seek first
place for themselves. Jesus called the twelve together and showed them the true
and rightful purpose for seeking power and position - to serve the good of others
with love and righteousness. Authority without love, a love that is oriented
towards the good of others, easily becomes self-serving and brutish.
Jesus does the unthinkable - he reverses the order and values of
the world's way of thinking. If you want to be great then become a servant for
others. If you want to be first, then became a slave rather than a master. How
shocking and contradictory these words must have rang in the disciples ears and
in our own ears as well! Power and position are tools that can be used to serve
and advance one's own interests or to serve the interests of others. In the
ancient world servants and slaves had no personal choice - they were compelled
to serve the interests of their masters and do whatever they were commanded.
Freedom and servanthood
The model of servanthood which Jesus presents to his disciples is based on personal choice and freedom - the decision to put others first in my care and concern and the freedom to serve them with love and compassion rather than with fear or desire for reward. That is why the Apostle Paul summed up Jesus' teaching on freedom and love with the exhortation, "For freedom Christ has set us free... only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh [for indulging in sinful and selfish desires], but through love be servants of one another" (Galatians 5:1,13). Jesus, the Lord and Master, sets himself as the example. He told his disciples that he "came not to be served but to serve" (Matthew 20:28). True servanthood is neither demeaning nor oppressive because its motivating force is love rather than pride or fear.
The model of servanthood which Jesus presents to his disciples is based on personal choice and freedom - the decision to put others first in my care and concern and the freedom to serve them with love and compassion rather than with fear or desire for reward. That is why the Apostle Paul summed up Jesus' teaching on freedom and love with the exhortation, "For freedom Christ has set us free... only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh [for indulging in sinful and selfish desires], but through love be servants of one another" (Galatians 5:1,13). Jesus, the Lord and Master, sets himself as the example. He told his disciples that he "came not to be served but to serve" (Matthew 20:28). True servanthood is neither demeaning nor oppressive because its motivating force is love rather than pride or fear.
The Lord Jesus summed up his mission by telling his disciples
that he came "to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).
The shedding of his blood on the cross was the payment for our sins - a ransom
that sets us free from slavery to wrong and hurtful desires and addictions.
Jesus laid down his life for us. This death to self is the key that sets us
free to offer our lives as a sacrifice of thanksgiving and love for the Lord
and for the people he calls us to serve.
Can you drink my cup?
The Lord Jesus asks each of us the same question he asked of James and John, "Can you drink the cup that I am to drink"? The cup he had in mind was a cup of sacrificial service and death to self - even death on a cross. What kind of cup might the Lord Jesus have in mind for each one of us who are his followers? For some disciples such a cup will entail physical suffering and the painful struggle of martyrdom - the readiness to die for one's faith in Christ. But for many followers of Jesus Christ, it entails the long routine of the Christian life, with all its daily sacrifices, disappointments, set-backs, struggles, and temptations. A disciple must be ready to lay down his or her life in martyrdom for Christ and be ready to lay it down each and every day in the little and big sacrifices required as well.
The Lord Jesus asks each of us the same question he asked of James and John, "Can you drink the cup that I am to drink"? The cup he had in mind was a cup of sacrificial service and death to self - even death on a cross. What kind of cup might the Lord Jesus have in mind for each one of us who are his followers? For some disciples such a cup will entail physical suffering and the painful struggle of martyrdom - the readiness to die for one's faith in Christ. But for many followers of Jesus Christ, it entails the long routine of the Christian life, with all its daily sacrifices, disappointments, set-backs, struggles, and temptations. A disciple must be ready to lay down his or her life in martyrdom for Christ and be ready to lay it down each and every day in the little and big sacrifices required as well.
An early church father summed up Jesus' teaching with the
expression "to serve is to reign with Christ". We share in God’s
reign by laying down our lives in humble service of one another as Jesus did
for our sake. Are you ready to lay down your life and to serve others as Jesus
did?
"Lord Jesus, make me a servant of love for your kingdom,
that I may seek to serve rather than be served. Inflame my heart with your love
that I may give generously and serve others joyfully for your sake."
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Put God at the Center |
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March 4, 2015. Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
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Matthew 20: 17-28
As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve
disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, "Behold, we
are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the
chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand
him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will
be raised on the third day." Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee
approached him with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for
something. He said to her, "What do you wish?" She answered him,
"Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the
other at your left, in your kingdom." Jesus said in reply, "You do
not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to
drink?" They said to him, "We can." He replied, "My
chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is
not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my
Father." When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two
brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, "You know that the rulers of
the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over
them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be
great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you
shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to
serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Introductory Prayer: Lord, though I cannot see you with my eyes,
I believe you are present to me now, in my innermost being, and that you know
me far better than I know myself. I also know that you love me much more than
I love my own self. Thank you for loving and watching over me, though I don’t
deserve your love. In return, I offer you my sorrow for my sins and my hopes
to love you more each day.
Petition: Lord, wean me from dependence on human honors and approval.
1. Seeking the Limelight: James and John rub
shoulders with that temptation the devil puts before every apostle: “What’s
in it for me, Lord?” We start out our apostolic work with purity of
intention, but if we are careless, it soon becomes “purely attention.” That
is why we should always be willing to submit our work to the approval of the
proper ecclesiastical authorities. Christ steered clear from all power grabs and
squabbles. John would alert Christ, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out
demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow
us.” Christ simply replied, “Do not prevent him … for whoever is not against
us is for us” (Mark 9:38-9).
2. Christ is Never Discouraged: Christ has just told his
apostles of his passion, and it weighs heavily on his heart. Drowning in
their own fascination for recognition, however, they are completely oblivious
to Christ’s sufferings. He doesn’t let himself get discouraged. Rather, he
gently helps them to look beyond themselves to follow his lead of self-giving
to the point of death.
3. Putting Others First: “Do not work for food
that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son
of Man will give you” (John 6:27). Human recognition is passing; it doesn’t
even last a lifetime. Even in heaven human recognition will be useless—our
eyes will be fixed on God, not on each other or ourselves. However, we do
know by faith that God will reward us in heaven according to our merits. He
will exalt us for serving others, especially when we bring others to love and
serve him. Am I convinced of this? What ephemeral honors am I hankering
after? How can I put Christ and serving him first in my life?
Conversation with Christ: Dear Jesus, too often I
compare myself with others. It´s easy for me to find or imagine my
superiority. I ignore you and your great goodness. I forget that everything I
have comes from you and that I can´t claim credit for any of my qualities and
virtues. Help me to keep this truth in mind so I may have an attitude of
genuine humility in my heart.
Resolution: I will pray a special prayer for humility every day this week.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4,
MATTHEW 20:17-28
Lenten Weekday
(Jeremiah 18:18-20; Psalm 31)
Lenten Weekday
(Jeremiah 18:18-20; Psalm 31)
KEY VERSE: "Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant" (v 26).
TO KNOW: For the third time in Matthew's gospel, Jesus taught his disciples about his coming passion and death, yet they still did not comprehend the reality of his words. A woman (Zebedee's wife in Mt 4:21) approached Jesus with the request for recognition for her sons James and John. She wanted them to receive special honor in Jesus' kingdom. Her misconception was that Jesus' reign was an earthly rule with temporal authority. The other disciples were indignant (perhaps they wished that they had thought of it first). Jesus reminded them that the way to the kingdom was not the path to glory. Being a disciple meant humble submission to the will of God. Jesus did not come to be served, but to offer his life as a ransom for those held captive to sin--the way of the cross.
TO LOVE: Lord Jesus, teach me this Lent to follow your example of humble service.
TO SERVE: Are my motives for Christian service self-serving?
Optional Memorial of
Casmir
Casimir was a Fifteenth century Polish prince and Grand Duke of Lithuania. Third in line for the throne, he lived a highly disciplined life, spending a great part of the night in prayer, dedicating himself to lifelong celibacy. He had a great devotion to Mary, supported the poor, and lived a virtuous life amid the dissolute court. Hungarian nobles prevailed upon Casimir's father to send his 15-year-old son to be their king; Casimir obeyed. His army was outnumbered, and his troops deserted because they were not paid. Casimir returned home, and was a conscientious objector from that time on. He returned to prayer and study, maintained his decision to remain celibate even under pressure to marry the emperor's daughter. He died in 1484 in Lithuania of tuberculosis.
PURIM BEGINS AT SUNSET
Purim is one of the most joyous and fun holidays on the Jewish calendar. It commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from total destruction. The story of Purim is told in the Book of Esther Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of Adar, which usually comes in March. The word "Purim" means "lots" and refers to the lottery that Haman used to choose the date for the massacre of the Jews. The primary commandment related to Purim is to hear the reading of the Book of Esther, known as the Megillah, which means scroll. (five books of Jewish scripture are referred to as megillahs: Esther, Ruth, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and Lamentations). It is customary to boo and rattle groggers (noisemakers) whenever the name of Haman is mentioned in the service. The purpose of this custom is to "blot out the name of Haman." Purim is not subject to the Sabbath-like restrictions that apply to many other holidays, but some indicate that ordinary business should not be conducted out of respect for the feast
Wednesday 4 March 2015
St Casimir.
Jeremiah 18:18-20. Save me, O Lord, in your steadfast love—Ps 30(31):5-6, 14-16. Matthew 20:17-28.
Jeremiah 18:18-20. Save me, O Lord, in your steadfast love—Ps 30(31):5-6, 14-16. Matthew 20:17-28.
Readings
‘The Son of Man came not
to be served, but to serve.’
Imagine the discussion
over dinner on the previous night between the mother and her beloved sons. She
can see that they are keen to be part of Jesus’ mission and she offers to fix
them a fitting place. ‘But Mum!’ They were possibly horrified. Her ambition is
misguided and yet the two young men answer the call with ‘We are able.’
This gospel speaks of
the humility of Jesus to the will of his Father. James and John are readily
humble in accepting the terms of discipleship with Jesus. The position offers
no status, no power—serve with compassion and love. These are the terms of
discipleship. And even those who hold high office in worldly terms ought to
enhance their decisions with the same loving service.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
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Lenten Sacrifice
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We renew and deepen our dedication to God and express that by
sacrificing something meaningful to us. But as we go about our fasting and
almsgiving, let’s not forget to give him some extra time in prayer.
March
4
St. Casimir
(1458-1483)
St. Casimir
(1458-1483)
Casimir, born of kings and in line (third among 13 children) to be
a king himself, was filled with exceptional values and learning by a great
teacher, John Dlugosz. Even his critics could not say that his conscientious
objection indicated softness. Even as a teenager, Casimir lived a highly
disciplined, even severe life, sleeping on the ground, spending a great part of
the night in prayer and dedicating himself to lifelong celibacy.
When
nobles in Hungary became dissatisfied with their king, they prevailed upon
Casimir’s father, the king of Poland, to send his son to take over the country.
Casimir obeyed his father, as many young men over the centuries have obeyed
their government. The army he was supposed to lead was clearly outnumbered by
the “enemy”; some of his troops were deserting because they were not paid. At
the advice of his officers, Casimir decided to return home.
His
father was irked at the failure of his plans, and confined his 15-year-old son
for three months. The lad made up his mind never again to become involved in
the wars of his day, and no amount of persuasion could change his mind. He
returned to prayer and study, maintaining his decision to remain celibate even
under pressure to marry the emperor’s daughter.
He
reigned briefly as king of Poland during his father’s absence. He died of lung
trouble at 23 while visiting Lithuania, of which he was also Grand Duke. He was
buried in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Comment:
For many years Poland and Lithuania faded into the gray prison on the other side of the Iron Curtain. Despite repression, the Poles and Lithuanians remained firm in the faith which has become synonymous with their name. Their youthful patron reminds us: Peace is not won by war; sometimes a comfortable peace is not even won by virtue, but Christ’s peace can penetrate every government repression of religion.
For many years Poland and Lithuania faded into the gray prison on the other side of the Iron Curtain. Despite repression, the Poles and Lithuanians remained firm in the faith which has become synonymous with their name. Their youthful patron reminds us: Peace is not won by war; sometimes a comfortable peace is not even won by virtue, but Christ’s peace can penetrate every government repression of religion.
Patron Saint of:
Lithuania
Poland
Russia
Lithuania
Poland
Russia
LECTIO: MATTHEW
20,17-28
Lectio:
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Lent Time
1) Opening prayer
Lord our God,
your prophets remind us
in season and out of season
of our responsibilities toward you
and toward the world of people.
When they disturb and upset us,
let it be a holy disturbance
that makes us restless, eager to do your will
and to bring justice and love around us.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
your prophets remind us
in season and out of season
of our responsibilities toward you
and toward the world of people.
When they disturb and upset us,
let it be a holy disturbance
that makes us restless, eager to do your will
and to bring justice and love around us.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 20, 17-28
Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, and on the road he took the
Twelve aside by themselves and said to them, 'Look, we are going up to
Jerusalem, and the Son of man is about to be handed over to the chief priests
and scribes. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the
gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified; and on the third day he will
be raised up again.'
Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came with her sons to make a request of him, and bowed low; and he said to her, 'What is it you want?' She said to him, 'Promise that these two sons of mine may sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your kingdom.' Jesus answered, 'You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?' They replied, 'We can.' He said to them, 'Very well; you shall drink my cup, but as for seats at my right hand and my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted by my Father.'
When the other ten heard this they were indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, 'You know that among the gentiles the rulers lord it over them, and great men make their authority felt. Among you this is not to happen. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came with her sons to make a request of him, and bowed low; and he said to her, 'What is it you want?' She said to him, 'Promise that these two sons of mine may sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your kingdom.' Jesus answered, 'You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?' They replied, 'We can.' He said to them, 'Very well; you shall drink my cup, but as for seats at my right hand and my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted by my Father.'
When the other ten heard this they were indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, 'You know that among the gentiles the rulers lord it over them, and great men make their authority felt. Among you this is not to happen. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel presents three points: the third announcement
of the Passion (Mt 20, 17-19), the petition of the Mother of the sons of
Zebedee (Mt 20, 20-23) and the discussion of the disciples regarding the first
place (Mt 20, 24-28).
• Matthew 20, 17-19: The third announcement of the Passion. Going toward Jerusalem, Jesus walks in front of them. He knows that he is going to be killed. The Prophet Isaiah had already announced it (Is 50, 4-6; 53, 1-10). His death is not the fruit of a plan established in advance, but the consequence of the commitment taken concerning the mission received from the Father, to be at the side of the excluded of his time. This is why Jesus speaks to the disciples about the tortures and death that he will have to face in Jerusalem. The disciple should follow the Master, even if he has to suffer like he. The disciples are frightened and accompany him with fear. They do not understand what is happening (cfr. Lk 18, 34). Suffering did not correspond to the idea that they had of the Messiah (cfr. Mt 16, 21-23).
• Matthew 20, 20-21: The petition of the mother to obtain the first place for her sons. The disciples do not only not understand the importance and significance of the message of Jesus, but they continue with their own personal ambitions. When Jesus insists on service and the gift of oneself, they continue to ask for the first places in the Kingdom. The mother of James and John, taking her sons with her, gets close to Jesus . The two did not understand the proposal of Jesus. They were concerned only about their own interests. This is a sign that the dominating ideology of that time had profoundly penetrated in the mentality of the disciples. In spite of the fact of having lived with Jesus several years, they had not renewed their way of seeing things. They looked at Jesus as always, with the same look. They wanted a reward for the fact of following Jesus. The same tensions existed in the communities of the time of Matthew and they still exist today in our own communities.
• Matthew 20-22-23: Jesus’ answer. Jesus reacts firmly: ”You do not know what you are asking for!” And he asks if they are capable of drinking the chalice that he, Jesus, will drink and if they are ready to receive the baptism which he will receive. It is the chalice of suffering, the baptism of blood! Jesus wants to know if they, instead of the places of honour, accept to give their life up to death. Both answer: “We can!” It seems to be a response not given from within, because a few days later, they abandoned Jesus and left him alone at the hour of suffering (Mk 14, 50). They do not have a great critical knowledge, they do not perceive their personal reality. In what concerns the first place, the place of honour, in the Kingdom at the side of Jesus, the one who grants this is the Father. What he, Jesus, has to offer, is the chalice and the baptism, suffering and the cross.
• Matthew 20, 24-27: It should not be like that among you: Jesus speaks once again, on the exercise of power (cfr. Mk 9, 33-35). At that time those who held power did not give an account to people. They acted as they wished (cfr. Mk 6, 27-28). The Roman Empire controlled the world and maintained it submitted with the force of the arms and in this way, through tributes, taxes, succeeded in concentrating the riches of the people in the hands of a few in Rome. Society was characterized by the repressive and abusive exercise of power. Jesus had an altogether different proposal. He said: “It should not be like that among you; but the one who wants to become great among you, should become a servant, and the one who wants to be the first one among you, will become your slave!” He teaches against privileges and rivalry. He wants to change the system and insists on the fact that service is the remedy against personal ambition.
• Matthew 20, 28: The summary of the life of Jesus. Jesus defines his mission and his life: “I have not come to be served but to serve!” He has come to give his own life for the salvation of many. He is the Messiah Servant, announced by the Prophet Isaiah (cfr. Is 42, 1-9; 49, 1-6; 50, 4-9); 52, 13-53, 12). He learnt from his Mother who said: “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord!” (Lk 1, 38). A totally new proposal for the society of that time.
• Matthew 20, 17-19: The third announcement of the Passion. Going toward Jerusalem, Jesus walks in front of them. He knows that he is going to be killed. The Prophet Isaiah had already announced it (Is 50, 4-6; 53, 1-10). His death is not the fruit of a plan established in advance, but the consequence of the commitment taken concerning the mission received from the Father, to be at the side of the excluded of his time. This is why Jesus speaks to the disciples about the tortures and death that he will have to face in Jerusalem. The disciple should follow the Master, even if he has to suffer like he. The disciples are frightened and accompany him with fear. They do not understand what is happening (cfr. Lk 18, 34). Suffering did not correspond to the idea that they had of the Messiah (cfr. Mt 16, 21-23).
• Matthew 20, 20-21: The petition of the mother to obtain the first place for her sons. The disciples do not only not understand the importance and significance of the message of Jesus, but they continue with their own personal ambitions. When Jesus insists on service and the gift of oneself, they continue to ask for the first places in the Kingdom. The mother of James and John, taking her sons with her, gets close to Jesus . The two did not understand the proposal of Jesus. They were concerned only about their own interests. This is a sign that the dominating ideology of that time had profoundly penetrated in the mentality of the disciples. In spite of the fact of having lived with Jesus several years, they had not renewed their way of seeing things. They looked at Jesus as always, with the same look. They wanted a reward for the fact of following Jesus. The same tensions existed in the communities of the time of Matthew and they still exist today in our own communities.
• Matthew 20-22-23: Jesus’ answer. Jesus reacts firmly: ”You do not know what you are asking for!” And he asks if they are capable of drinking the chalice that he, Jesus, will drink and if they are ready to receive the baptism which he will receive. It is the chalice of suffering, the baptism of blood! Jesus wants to know if they, instead of the places of honour, accept to give their life up to death. Both answer: “We can!” It seems to be a response not given from within, because a few days later, they abandoned Jesus and left him alone at the hour of suffering (Mk 14, 50). They do not have a great critical knowledge, they do not perceive their personal reality. In what concerns the first place, the place of honour, in the Kingdom at the side of Jesus, the one who grants this is the Father. What he, Jesus, has to offer, is the chalice and the baptism, suffering and the cross.
• Matthew 20, 24-27: It should not be like that among you: Jesus speaks once again, on the exercise of power (cfr. Mk 9, 33-35). At that time those who held power did not give an account to people. They acted as they wished (cfr. Mk 6, 27-28). The Roman Empire controlled the world and maintained it submitted with the force of the arms and in this way, through tributes, taxes, succeeded in concentrating the riches of the people in the hands of a few in Rome. Society was characterized by the repressive and abusive exercise of power. Jesus had an altogether different proposal. He said: “It should not be like that among you; but the one who wants to become great among you, should become a servant, and the one who wants to be the first one among you, will become your slave!” He teaches against privileges and rivalry. He wants to change the system and insists on the fact that service is the remedy against personal ambition.
• Matthew 20, 28: The summary of the life of Jesus. Jesus defines his mission and his life: “I have not come to be served but to serve!” He has come to give his own life for the salvation of many. He is the Messiah Servant, announced by the Prophet Isaiah (cfr. Is 42, 1-9; 49, 1-6; 50, 4-9); 52, 13-53, 12). He learnt from his Mother who said: “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord!” (Lk 1, 38). A totally new proposal for the society of that time.
4) Personal questions
• James and John ask for a favour, Jesus promises suffering. And
I, what do I ask Jesus for in my prayer? How do I accept suffering and the
pains and sorrow which come to me in my life?
• Jesus said: “It should not be like that among you!” Does my way of living in community follow this advice of Jesus?
• Jesus said: “It should not be like that among you!” Does my way of living in community follow this advice of Jesus?
5) Concluding Prayer
Draw me out of the net they have spread for me,
for you are my refuge;
to your hands I commit my spirit,
by you have I been redeemed. God of truth. (Ps 31,4-5)
for you are my refuge;
to your hands I commit my spirit,
by you have I been redeemed. God of truth. (Ps 31,4-5)
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