The Writing Is On The Wall

Jeremiah 18:18-20
Matthew 20:17-28

The setting of today’s first reading begins at “the potter’s house” 18:1-3 . God commanded Jeremiah to go to the potter’s house and observe the potter as he fashioned lumps of clay on the potter’s wheel. The potter’s work with the clay was a metaphor of God’s sovereign authority to “pluck up…pull down…[and] destroy” the nation because of its disobedience.(verse 7.)
Like the clay yielded to the potter’s hands to be reshaped and fashioned for his purpose, the Lord longed to restore Israel to Himself and bless the nation. The Lord commanded Jeremiah to go to the people and warn them that God had determined to judge them if they continued in their sins v10. Rather than heed the warning of God’s prophet, the people were emboldened in their sin and boasted they had their own priest, wise men, and prophet v18aSo as we see in our 1st reading (Jer 18:18-20) we read that the people have turned against Jeremiah and he prays to God for his safety.

The plotting against Jeremiah reminds us of the plotting that will take place against Christ during the Paschal Week and ultimately, the outcome of that plotting. In the gospel passage (Mtt 20:17-28) we have the first prediction by Christ of His coming death. Zebedee’s wife asks that her two sons be closest to Him in heaven but He tells them that they will have to suffer first and they reply that they are happy to do so. Turning to the others He tells them that places at table are insignificant because He came to serve rather than to be served. We too must be ready serve if we are to be fit for heaven. We always believe that our expectations and our requests of the Lord are all right and proper, that there is nothing about them that could be at odds with God’s will.

What is my attitude when I think about being a disciple of Jesus? Do I see it as my ticket into heaven or am I more interested in helping spread the Good News of the kingdom to others? What sort of opposition have I faced as a disciple of Jesus? How can I be more of service to those around me?
Today, who is most in need of my attention & loving service? May God continue to be our example as we reach out to others, including those with whom we do not agree or who treat us poorly. Amen.

Fr Joseph Osho