Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 4,2026

Date: Wednesday of the 2^nd Week of Lent

Scripture Text:   Gospel

Matthew 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." 

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

Today’s gospel reading are bookended with the theme of selfless sacrifice and service. First Jesus predicts to His disciples and followers his passion, death, and resurrection, His sacrifice for humanity. Surprisingly, at that point, the mother of Zebedee asks for favor to be shone to her sons as if she had not heard Jesus’ previous statement. Even though James and John assure Jesus they can drink of the same chalice Jesus would drink meaning they could endure the suffering and death, Jesus told them it was not His decision but the Father’s. Jesus returns to His teaching on loving and humble service rather than seeking power over others. He ends by explaining that He himself came “to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Jesus’ response comes in contrast to the self-seeking ambition of wife of Zebedee.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Can I set down my ambitions and pick up my cross and follow in Jesus’ footsteps? Can I put on the apron of service and serve my LORD and others with loving joy?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, I lift my mind and heart to You in praise for who You are: source of all being and Creator. And I ask that You send your Spirit to strengthen my resolve to live as your beloved and only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, call us to live, as servant to You and to my sisters and brothers for love of You, love of Christ, and love of them. Take away my prideful hubris and give me instead authentic humility so that I might serve with my whole heart. I ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.