Wednesday, March 11, 2020 — Second week of Lent  — Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 20, 17-28 — I am the light of the world, says the Lord. Whoever follows me shall have the light of life.

The lent marks Christ's ascent to Jerusalem: the way of the Cross, symbol of service to others, mystery of Christ's life. Here, Jesus wants to share his mystery with his disciples so that they can take part in it. But there was a misunderstanding because the mother of some of the disciples asked for something else that did not appeal to Jesus' message. To be at the right and the left of Jesus is to put oneself at the service of others. Selfless service without running for a seat or honour, but total self-denial for the salvation of all.

Often our aspirations tend only towards the search for pleasure and pleasantness. "You don't know what you are asking for," says Christ, because the desire of the mother of Zebedee's sons goes against the message He wants to convey. "As for sitting on my right hand and on my left hand," Jesus said again, "it is not for me to grant it; there are those for whom this is prepared by my Father". To want to rise above others is a common temptation in our society, but Christ is categorical, to put oneself at the service of others is the only way to reach eternal glory. Let us, therefore, be humble and helpful so that we may be worthy of the place that Jesus is preparing for us in the kingdom of heaven.