Help

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030415.cfm) reminds me that it is easier to ask for God’s help when we are doing his work.

In the first reading, we see Jeremiah asking God for help from other people who plan evil against him. In the psalm, king David echoes the same plea of help to God. This reminds me that it’s easier to ask help from God if we are doing his work and living in the way he wants us to. It is easier to ask His help if we know we are living a life pleasing to him.

It would be weird for a smoker who developed lung cancer to ask God to heal him, or for a habitual gambler to ask God to provide financial blessings. Yes, God would still hear our prayers, but it would be different if we know we are doing what we can on our part then ask God for help. Jeremiah found it easy to ask help from God because he knows he is doing God’s will and God’s work, and not just living life the way he wants to.

In the gospel, we are again reminded of yesterday’s readings to be humble and serve others. This is what God wants us to do. As Jesus came to serve and not to be served, he wants us to do the same as well. And as we do this, it will be easy for us to ask for God’s help and blessings to continue doing his work.

May we be inspired to live right, so it will be easier for us to come to God and ask for his help as we carry on his work.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Help me live life the way you want me to, not the way I want to. As I do so, I know you will continue to take care of me. Amen.

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

-------------------------------------------

March 4, 2015

Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent

Lectionary: 232

Reading 1 Jer 18:18-20

The people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem said,

“Come, let us contrive a plot against Jeremiah.

It will not mean the loss of instruction from the priests,

nor of counsel from the wise, nor of messages from the prophets.

And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue;

let us carefully note his every word.”

Heed me, O LORD,

and listen to what my adversaries say.

Must good be repaid with evil

that they should dig a pit to take my life?

Remember that I stood before you

to speak in their behalf,

to turn away your wrath from them.

Responsorial Psalm PS 31:5-6, 14, 15-16

R. (17b) Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.

You will free me from the snare they set for me,

for you are my refuge.

Into your hands I commend my spirit;

you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.

R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.

I hear the whispers of the crowd, that frighten me from every side,

as they consult together against me, plotting to take my life.

R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.

But my trust is in you, O LORD;

I say, “You are my God.”

In your hands is my destiny; rescue me

from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.

R. Save me, O Lord, in your kindness.

Verse Before the Gospel Jn 8:12

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;

whoever follows me will have the light of life.

Gospel Mt 20:17-28

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem,

he took the Twelve disciples aside by themselves,

and said to them on the way,

“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem,

and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests

and the scribes,

and they will condemn him to death,

and hand him over to the Gentiles

to be mocked and scourged and crucified,

and he will be raised on the third day.”

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons

and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.

He said to her, “What do you wish?”

She answered him,

“Command that these two sons of mine sit,

one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.”

Jesus said in reply,

“You do not know what you are asking.

Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”

They said to him, “We can.”

He replied,

“My chalice you will indeed drink,

but to sit at my right and at my left,

this is not mine to give

but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”

When the ten heard this,

they became indignant at the two brothers.

But Jesus summoned them and said,

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,

and the great ones make their authority over them felt.

But it shall not be so among you.

Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;

whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.

Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve

and to give his life as a ransom for many.”