Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
Lead from your Knees
USCCB - (NAB) - March 15, 2006
Reflection:
There are two points that come to mind when we take Wednesday's scripture all together. The first is more subtle and requires us to step back a pace. - In both the first reading from Jeremiah and the Gospel today we hear of plots by those who do not wish to hear God's word. In between them is the Palmist lamenting the plotting and asking God to protect him.
I think it's important to notice the difference between Jesus' and Jeremiah's attitudes (the Psalmist's too for that matter). Jesus calmly explains to his disciples what will be happening shortly. There is no regret, no pleading in him. He knows of the trap and still goes forward. Jeremiah and the Psalmist, on the other hand, immediately ask the Lord to remember the good they have done and are clearly seeking God's intervention.
The reason I point this out is Jeremiah is a great Prophet. He was considered, in his day, the mouth of God himself. But he expected to be taken care of by the one who sent him. Jesus is the Only Son of God. He comes, knowing his fate, to save us from our own folly in spite of the price to be paid and the pain to be endured.
The second point made is Jesus important statement that again points out the differences between what his Father expects and what the world expects. Jesus tells us; "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt." If any of us who have been working very hard during this Lenten season and are beginning to think we have really out shown our brothers and sisters, think about what this passage is saying to us.
"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"
Just as Jeremiah and the Psalmist looked at God and said – Help me God, while Jesus embraces his fate; Jesus is looking at his disciples (and us) saying the greatest must serve the rest. What more should we expect from our Lord who counts crucifixion for the sake of mankind a victory. Pax
I welcome your comments. If you would like to make one and are not registered on Myspace, you can email me at miles_jj@excite.com and, if you wish, I will post your response as a comment. Thanks.
Sorry, no time to put in the commentary today.
Lead from your Knees
USCCB - (NAB) - March 15, 2006
Reflection:
There are two points that come to mind when we take Wednesday's scripture all together. The first is more subtle and requires us to step back a pace. - In both the first reading from Jeremiah and the Gospel today we hear of plots by those who do not wish to hear God's word. In between them is the Palmist lamenting the plotting and asking God to protect him.
I think it's important to notice the difference between Jesus' and Jeremiah's attitudes (the Psalmist's too for that matter). Jesus calmly explains to his disciples what will be happening shortly. There is no regret, no pleading in him. He knows of the trap and still goes forward. Jeremiah and the Psalmist, on the other hand, immediately ask the Lord to remember the good they have done and are clearly seeking God's intervention.
The reason I point this out is Jeremiah is a great Prophet. He was considered, in his day, the mouth of God himself. But he expected to be taken care of by the one who sent him. Jesus is the Only Son of God. He comes, knowing his fate, to save us from our own folly in spite of the price to be paid and the pain to be endured.
The second point made is Jesus important statement that again points out the differences between what his Father expects and what the world expects. Jesus tells us; "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt." If any of us who have been working very hard during this Lenten season and are beginning to think we have really out shown our brothers and sisters, think about what this passage is saying to us.
"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"
Just as Jeremiah and the Psalmist looked at God and said – Help me God, while Jesus embraces his fate; Jesus is looking at his disciples (and us) saying the greatest must serve the rest. What more should we expect from our Lord who counts crucifixion for the sake of mankind a victory. Pax
I welcome your comments. If you would like to make one and are not registered on Myspace, you can email me at miles_jj@excite.com and, if you wish, I will post your response as a comment. Thanks.
Sorry, no time to put in the commentary today.
posted by Deacon Jim | 2:26 AM
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