Mass Readings: March 23
CRUCIFYING SELFISHNESS
"It cannot be like that with you." –Matthew 20:26
There is an attitude, a way of reasoning, which comes natural to us.
This attitude is steeped in selfishness and is very displeasing to the
Lord. It is expressed in the words of Jeremiah's persecutors. They
thought this way: "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" (Jer 18:18). Justice was
ignored and violence planned with few qualms of conscience because the
conspirators against Jeremiah were blinded by the "logic" of
selfishness.
In doing whatever it took to seek a top rank in
Jesus' kingdom, James, John, and their mother ignored Jesus' call to the
cross and the welfare of the other apostles (see Mt 20:21). The "logic"
of selfishness was used to justify stepping on people and even trying
to manipulate God.
The chief priests and elders refused to answer
Jesus' question about the origin of John's baptism. "They thought to
themselves, 'If we say "divine," He will ask us, "Then why did you not
put faith in it?"; while if we say, "merely human," we shall have reason
to fear the people, who all regard John as a prophet' " (Mt 21:25-26).
Truth was not even an issue. It had been completely eclipsed by
selfishness.
Blinded by selfishness, we try to justify abortion,
rebellion, unforgiveness, gossip, slander, violence, etc. Blinded by
selfishness, we think nothing of ignoring justice, love, and truth.
Therefore, by God's grace, we must crucify our selfishness (see Gal
5:24) or we will continue to crucify the Lord (Heb 6:6).
PRAYER: | Father, I decide to deny myself and take up my daily crosses (Lk 9:23). |
PROMISE: | "Such is the case with the Son of
Man Who has come, not to be served by others, but to serve, to give His
own life as a ransom for the many." –Mt 20:28 |
PRAISE: | St. Toribio baptized and confirmed nearly a million native Americans.
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