March 10, 2004 - Wednesday, 2nd Week of Lent

Suffering of the Prophet

Readings:
Jer 18:18-20; Ps 31:5-6, 14, 15-16; Mt 20:17-28

Introduction

A prophet is always an annoying person. His mission is to call attention to the signs of the times – to denounce what no one dares denounce, to prod into action when all stand still and like to take it easy. His task is unpleasant and he carries it out reluctantly. For he is a scared man. He pleads to be excused. For he always gets into trouble. He may even be killed. That was the lot of the prophets before him and then Jesus’ lot – but through his death he won glory and brought life. Those who follow him, however timid they may be as prophets, have to share in this suffering-toward-life. They must at least learn to serve; even dedicated service brings often suffering.

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.

Scripture Readings

First Reading: Jer 18:18-20

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.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 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.

Gospel Reading: Mt 20:17-28

When Jesus was going to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve aside and said to them on the way, "See, we are going to Jerusalem. There the Son of Man will be given over to the chief priests and the teachers of the Law who will condemn him to death. They will hand him over to the foreigners who will mock him, scourge him and crucify him. But he will be raised to life on the third day."

Then the mother of James and John came to Jesus with her sons, and she knelt down to ask a favor. Jesus said to her, "What do you want?" And she answered, "Here you have my two sons. Grant that they may sit, one at your right and one at your left, when you are in your kingdom."
Jesus said to the brothers, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They answered, "We can." Jesus replied, "You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right or at my left is not for me to grant. That will be for those for whom the Father has prepared it."

The other ten heard all this and were angry with the two brothers. Then Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the nations act as tyrants, and the powerful oppress them. It shall not be so among you; whoever wants to be more important in your group shall make himself your servant. And if you want to be first, make yourself the servant of all. Be like the Son of Man who has come, not to be served but to serve and to give his life to redeem many."

Commentary

MARK says that it was James and John who asked Jesus for important posts in his kingdom (10:37). But Matthew puts the blame on their mother! But the cover-up is transparent in the text when you check the original, "Jesus said to the brothers, 'You (plural) do not know what you (plural) are asking. Can you (plural) drink the cup that I am about to drink?' They answered, 'We can.'" He was speaking to them, not to their mother. Furthermore, the others were angry "with the two brothers."

The anger of the others reveals something else. Why were they not just amused, or perhaps sorry for them? Anger reveals a personal stake in the matter. I think the others too saw themselves in the running for the top posts!

Today's reading, then, has the same theme as yesterday's. The only difference is that yesterday's was about the Pharisees, but today's is about the Apostles!

Still, the Lord was able to love them to the end. Therein lies hope for us all.

General Intercession

–   For the Church, that it may imitate the Lord Jesus and be a serving Church, we pray:

–   For prophets who remind us that we have to live up to our faith, that we may listen to them, we pray:

–   For all of us, that as followers of a suffering Lord, we may grow as Christians and as human beings by the way we carry our crosses, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord God,
your Son comes among us and asks us:
“Can you drink my cup with me?”
Give us the strength
to accept any suffering with him
for the sake of your kingdom,
for we know it is the signature
on the life of the true disciple.
May it be a suffering that brings life
to us and to our brothers and sisters.
This is the offering we make to you
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son went his journey to the cross
knowing what awaited him,
but also knowing that his suffering and death
would mean life and joy for many.
Give us a bit of his courage, Lord,
that we may not be escapists in life,
but that we may speak out and act
when your kingdom is at stake
or when we are asked to serve.
Let your Son be with us,
now and for ever.

Blessing

“The Son of man came not to be served but to serve.” How do we follow our Lord as people who know how to serve? May almighty God give you insight and strength, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

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