THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent 

Jer 18:18-20

Ps 31

Matt 20:17-28

Can you drink the chalice

Mothers always want the best for their children. 

In this morning’s gospel reading(Mt 20:17-28), the mother of James and John asks Jesus for the best places in his kingdom for her two sons. She interceded with Jesus on behalf of her sons. However, her request, her prayer, was not one that Jesus could respond to. Jesus did not respond to every request that was made of him; not every prayer we make is heard. Instead of responding to the mother’s request, Jesus requested his own to her two sons, ‘Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?’ Jesus was asking James and John if they were ready to follow him, even though it would mean traveling the way of the cross. 

The question that Jesus asked James and John is one that he addresses to us all. He asks how committed we are to his way of life, and the values, he lived by and died for. Like the mother of James and John, we often ask the Lord for something in prayer. Today’s gospel reminds us that the Lord also asks us for something; he asks us for nothing less than ourselves; he asks us to give ourselves to him as he gave himself to us on the cross.

Let us pray: 

Lord, keep me close to you, that the trials I’m enduring as a results of my faith in you may not quench my zeal in serving you. Amen

+Remain blessed