MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL FOR 4 MARCH
March 4, 2026
SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS INTO THE LIFE OF SAINT CASIMIR
March 4, 2026
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
4 MARCH, 2026
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,
“See, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised.”
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favor of him. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.”
But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said,
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!
REFLECTION
In this Gospel, Jesus speaks plainly about His suffering, yet the disciples are still dreaming of positions and glory. While He speaks of a cross, they think of crowns.
How often we, too, follow Jesus with mixed motives — seeking recognition, security, or honour. But true greatness in the Kingdom of God is measured not by status, but by service.
Jesus does not condemn the desire for greatness; He transforms it.
“Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant.”
The path to glory runs through humility. The cup of Christ is not comfort but sacrifice — daily acts of love, patience, forgiveness, and quiet service.
In a world that competes for position, Jesus invites us to kneel.
In a culture that demands to be served, He teaches us to serve.
The cross is not a detour from greatness — it is the way to it.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You walked steadily toward Jerusalem, knowing the suffering that awaited You. Give me courage to follow You, even when the path leads through sacrifice.
Purify my ambitions and cleanse my heart of pride. Teach me to seek not recognition, but faithfulness; not position, but humility; not to be served, but to serve.
Help me to drink the cup You give me each day — the cup of patience, generosity, and love. Make me a servant after Your own Heart. Amen
