Wednesday of the Second Week

Reflection

Although I’d like to think I could relate to the prophet Jeremiah about feeling persecuted, that I’ve had people who wanted me to fall flat on my face, my circumstances just can’t compare. They wanted him dead. Not just a few naysayers either — it was all the citizens of Judah and Jerusalem. He cries out to God, Hey, didn’t I call out to you on their behalf? This is how they repay me? The citizens just didn’t get it. They didn’t want to hear what his voice had to say.

We’d like to think that God’s words for us will always come as angels singing. But if I think about it, I don’t think I can blame God for making me a little uncomfortable to get my attention. I think I’m probably a lot more like a citizen of Jerusalem — leave me alone; I know I’m right; I’m fine as I am, thank you very much — than I’d care to contemplate.

I can be outraged by James and John. Fools, weren’t you listening at all? But, as I walk this road, I’m not often thinking about how I can be someone’s “servant” or, even worse, “slave.” I tend to be busy concentrating on how justified I am.

Yet, hopefully, I can learn to listen a bit better, especially to those voices I don’t want to hear. Hopefully, rather than resenting the prophets in my life, I can pray with the psalmist, “Save me, O Lord, in Your kindness,” because I cannot save myself.

Prayer

“You are my refuge. Into Your hands I commend my spirit.” Help me learn to listen to the prophets in my life.

TJ Bird Matarazzo, ’98, Member of the Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Jeremiah 18:18-20
Psalm 31:5-6, 14-16
Gospel: Matthew 20:17-28

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website