Jeremiah 18:18-20
Matthew 20:17-28
The world can sometimes be a dark place, especially in the face of organized evil. Today's readings bring us face to face with the starkness of this all-too-frequent reality. Jeremiah is not a popular man. He was an affliction to the Powers That Be.
He held the rulers accountable for their actions. Since he won't shut up and get with the program, a plot is hatched to destroy him, a reminder that it is usually much easier to kill the prophet than to understand his or her message.
It rocks fewer boats and upsets fewer apple carts. People may squawk for a bit, but this too shall pass.
Jesus plainly tells his disciples -- for the third time -- "we are going to Jerusalem and I will be condemned and put to death." It's enough to make anyone want to turn around and go home in the face of this dark portent.
But Matthew continues his narrative, and jumps the topic of discussion to who will sit beside Jesus in places of honor and power, and how authority is justly exercised. He talks about servant leadership in its deepest and most spiritual sense.
The plots of organized evil, and the unjust exercise of authority are problems that plague humanity. They are best countered with prayer, servant leadership, and a refusal to cooperate with them.
We share in the sins of others when we cooperate in them by participating directly and voluntarily in them; by ordering, advising, praising, or approving them; by not disclosing or not hindering them when we have an obligation to do so; by protecting evil-doers.
Structures of sin endure because people cooperate with them and keep them going. Lent is a good time to examine our conscience regarding our willing participation in, and profiting from, structures of sin that may be causing grave harm to the common good.
Francis Martin writes,
“Today the shadow of the cross is visible. In the first reading we see something of the soul of Jesus in the prayer of Jeremiah. In the gospel we are told of the mystery of the cross, and our lack of understanding is challenged.
“Even more than his words, Jeremiah's life was a prophecy. He embraced the will and Word of God even when it led him into suffering.
“So powerful was his life that when a later author composed what we call the second part of Isaiah and included there the description of the one to come who would reconcile God's people by his suffering, the model he alluded to was Jeremiah.
“The prayer of this prophet has become the Word of God.
“For the first time in Lent we enounter one of those Old Testament texts that may be called a “sacrament” of the soul of Jesus. Jeremiah was one of those suffering just men whose life and prayer constituted an anticipated share in the fullness of grace in Jesus Christ which we all receive.
"The human pain of rejection and treachery was one of the greatest sufferings Jesus had to endure. Yet by his fidelity to the covenant we have been saved.”
Posted by John
at 12:01 AM CST