March 16th, by Nolan Crawley: Sophomore

March 16, 2022
Nolan Crawley: Sophomore
Jeremiah 18:18-20/Mt 20:17-28
Doing God’s will often end up in earthly suffering.  In the First Reading, Jeremiah realizes that
being God’s prophet has caused him to be persecuted.  The Responsorial Psalm also is a prayer
of one who suffers for doing Good.   The Gospel presents Jesus predicting not only His own
suffering as a result of His being obedient to His Father, but also the future suffering of his
disciples. In this Gospel, Jesus equates being part of the reign of God with being willing to face
opposition and, at the same time, being willing to serve and help others.
   
We also see in the first reading that the people of Israel started to plan against Jeremiah. But in
the end of the readings, Jeremiah says to the LORD “to turn his wrath away from the people”.
When Jeremiah says this, I could not help but think about what Jesus says on his cross, “Forgive
them Father they know not what they do.” Jesus and Jeremiah both say these phrases; neither of
them is thinking of themselves. In the Gospel, Jesus asks his Disciples if they can drink the
“chalice” Jesus will have to drink. Both disciples agree, saying they will both follow Jesus into
anything he has to do. This shows that being a prophet of God or a disciple of Jesus is not easy.
So, in this Lenten season I invite you to become more like Jeremiah and Jesus in the first reading
and not do things for yourself but while thinking of others. But we must also remember to be like
the Disciples and follow Jesus into whatever he has planned for us.