FIRST READING
Jeremiah 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
Psalm 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.
VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
John 8:12
I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
GOSPEL
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 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.”
REFLECTIONS:
PRAYERFULLY VENGEFUL?
"In Your hands is my destiny; rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors." Psalm 31:16
Jeremiah's enemies were plotting against him and trying to destroy him (Jer 18:18). Jeremiah reacted to this as most humans would. He tried to defend himself and retaliate. Jeremiah prayed for the children of his enemies to starve to death or die by the sword (Jer 18:21). Then Jeremiah prayed for the wives of his enemies to be childless and widowed and for the men to die of pestilence or be killed in war (Jer 18:21). Jeremiah was prayerfully vengeful, and often so are we, although we usually aren't as open about this as Jeremiah was.
"To err is human, to forgive is divine." So Jeremiah and all human beings do not possess the power to forgive. We have no choice but to be unforgiving, although unforgiveness is a poison that will kill and damn us. What we can't help doing will destroy us. Thus we are in an impossible situation. However, Jesus is divine and therefore He has the power to forgive. He will give this power to us. He will save us from damning ourselves because of unforgiveness.
Right now, make the decision to accept Jesus' power and to forgive all who have hurt you in any way. By Jesus' grace, forgive all for all. Do the humanly impossible. Act on a supernatural level. Forgive and pray accordingly.
Prayer: Father, may I repay evil with good (cf Jer 18:20; see also Rm 12:21). Promise: "Such is the case with the Son of Man Who has come, not to be served by others, but to serve, to give His own life as a Ransom for the many." Mt 20:28 Praise: Rather than complain, Edward prays for those in government.
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant my permission to publish One Bread, One Body covering the period from February 1, 2013 through March 31, 2013.
Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 13, 2012.
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements
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