Wednesday in the Second Week of Lent
Matthew 20:17-28
Friends, in the Gospel today, the mother of James and John comes to Jesus with her sons to ask that Jesus exalt them to be his second-in-command in the glory of his kingdom. The other ten disciples are indignant, and Jesus teaches them about humility – that “whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant…; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve….”
How often are we like the mother, James, and John? They take the opportunity to climb the ladder of success and try to exalt themselves over others to satisfy personal desires of recognition, significance, and honor. Even in ministry and doing good works, how often do we mask our motivation to ourselves, serving and helping others so that we look good? Or are we genuinely compassionate, humbly serving others even when nobody notices?
True greatness comes, ironically, when we least desire it. In the measure that we let go of exalting ourselves and instead humbly focus on the good of others, we gain our own significance and honor.
Reflection by Keith Tan
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