Readings: Jeremiah 18:18-20; Psalm 31: Matthew 20: 17-28
Both scripture readings today call us to intensify our spiritual life, our relationship with God, through self-denial and suffering, themes of our Lenten Journey.
In Ezekiel, the enemies of the prophet say: “Come, let us bring charges against him, let us not heed any of his words.”
Compare this reading with the words of wisdom of the ordinary proverb, the one about “throwing out the baby with the bath water.” There is good and bad in each of us, in God’s beautiful creation being corrupted by us. But we are called to see the good, of course without ignoring the evil, to build up the good and lift it up to the Lord. When someone does me wrong, does that colour my whole relationship with that person to the extent that I can no longer see and appreciate the good? In the Gospel, in reply to the mother of the two sons of Zebedee about a special place for them in the kingdom, Jesus says that they will suffer, “you will indeed drink the cup.” But that is not a guarantee they will get a higher place in heaven. He emphasizes, instead, the attitude of one who serves the kingdom: “but whoever wishes to be great among you must be the servant.” Using Himself as the ultimate example to follow: “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Compare this reading with the words of wisdom of an ordinary proverb of the Achewa people in Malawi, where I ministered fo r10 years: “Zinthu zikukuowanani monga kwa maso kulira.” It sounds better to me in Chichewa but translated says; “There are things that can be seen only with eyes that have suffered.”
Suffering gives me empathy to serve my sisters and brothers better without prejudice, without counting their mistakes and sinfulness: nevertheless, I still know that I can never completely see into the heart of another or walk in their shoes. We are to serve following Jesus, who “came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” It’s all about humility.