By Preet Anupam Beck csc –
Readings: Jer 18: 18-20; Mt 20: 17-28
It is difficult for me to accept blame for things I have not done. It saddens me when I am held responsible for the chaos created by others.
Today’s readings give me consolation in this regard. The first reading presents the helpless situation of Jeremiah who knows about the evil that the people were planning against him. He is alone and powerless and asks God; is this evil the reward of my goodness? But he does not
retaliate against them.
The gospel reading presents a series of conversations between Jesus and the mother of James and John, and later with James and John themselves. In his latter conversation, Jesus emphasizes that he has not come to be served but to serve others.
All the good he does is not to ecome a king and acquire power, but for service. Some people condemned and crucified Jesus because they could not stand the goodness of Jesus in society. They killed him so that their lives would not be disturbed by a new understanding of God who is merciful and loving.
Jesus and Jeremiah both suffered because they were doing good. Today they motivate me to continue to do good in my life despite the bad things that happens to me. They encourage me not to give up on evil that is done to me and not to be influenced by the evil that surrounds me. With today’s readings, Jesus and Jeremiah inspire me to forgive those who try to harm me and to tolerate those who unjustly blame me.