Homily (Reflection) for Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent (28th February, 2018) on the Gospel
Jer 18:18-20;
Ps 30:5-6.14-16 (R. v. 17);
Matt
20:17-28.
Topic: What do you want?
Today’s gospel is made up of two parts, namely: Jesus foretold
His death and resurrection a third time (Matt
20:17-19) and The Request of the Mother of James and John (Matt 20:20-28). Our reflection will focus
on the second part.
The mother of James and John approached Jesus with her two
sons, kneeling before Jesus and asked for a favour. Jesus said to her, “What do
you want?” She replied, “Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at
your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Although the two promised
to drink the cup Jesus was to take yet He said to them, “... to sit at my right
hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those whom it has
been prepared by my Father.”
The reaction of the ten showed among other things that they
were not different. Calling them to Himself Jesus said to them,
You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but
whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes
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 a ransom for many (Matt 20:25-28).
The attitudes of both the rulers and great ones among the Gentiles
as depicted in today’s gospel are better than what we see in the house of God
today. Hence many are ready for anything just to become leaders.
The question, ‘What do you want?’ (Matt 20:21) can be more beneficial if each of us take it as one directed
to him/herself. Each of us must take time to answer this question. It demands
nothing less than an honest answer which will help each of us see below his or
her own robe, whether one is on the right track or not. It is very dangerous to
leave this unanswered. Our call to be Christians is a call to humility, cf. Jas 4:6, 10; 1Pt 3:8; 5:6. Christians
ought to be humbler as they go higher. We must see others as better than
ourselves, cf. Phil 2:3.
Bible Reading: Phil 2:1-18; Rom 15:1-6.
Thought for today: What do you want? (Matt 20:21).
Let us pray: Lord, help me to desire you and you
alone – Amen.
You are free to share this reflection
with others if you consider it worthy.
For more homilies (reflections):
Visit our website: www.thepulpitonline.comLike us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thepulpitonline
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thepulpitonline
Join our WhatsApp Group via: +234 810 298 6313
Send us Email: thepulpitonline@gmail.com
To Contact
and/or to support this ministry:
Tel: +234 813 305 0302+234 905 655 4466
Email: thepulpitonline@gmail.com
May God bless you all+
Post a Comment
Post a Comment