Day 13:

Thirteen days into Lent and our thirteenth resolution is Being more grateful and less of complaining  but today's Gospel from Matthew 20:20–21 (NABRE) invites us to reflect on a deeper aspect of growth in holiness: Being better everyday means embracing the path of humble service and willingness to drink the chalice of suffering, rather than seeking worldly glory or comfort. This resolution calls us to daily improvement in virtue, but true progress comes not through ambition for status, but through surrender to Christ's Cross and rising in His grace.

What a bold move by the mother of the sons of Zebedee! A common misconception at that time was that the Messiah would usher in a new political and earthly kingdom and those who held positions of power in this kingdom would bask in earthly glory. However, Jesus’ mission as the Messiah was to establish a far superior Kingdom through His Passion and Resurrection. These two disciples, along with their mother, did not yet understand this.

Just before this passage, Jesus took the Twelve aside and prophesied His Passion and Resurrection: “…the Son of Man will be handed over… they will condemn him to death… be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day” (cf. Matthew 20:18–19, NABRE). This is the third time in Matthew’s Gospel that Jesus predicts His Passion. It’s surprising that, immediately after this prophecy, the mother of the sons of Zebedee asks Jesus to give her two sons the most prominent positions in His Kingdom. Jesus initially responds, “You do not know what you are asking” (Matthew 20:22, NABRE).

In many ways, Jesus says the same to us. When we pray and seek to grow closer to God, we don’t always understand what we are truly asking for. Like these two disciples and their mother, we might think that growing in holiness means God will protect us from all illnesses, difficulties, crosses, and problems—replacing them with consolations, a comfortable life, family unity, success at work, notoriety, and even wealth. But that’s not the Gospel. The Gospel always points us to the Cross, while promising God’s grace to carry it, not avoid it.

As Jesus said to these two disciples, He also says to us when we pray for greater holiness: “Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” (Matthew 20:22, NABRE). In other words, the path to holiness is the Cross. It’s the only way. Jesus tells us this in many ways, just as He told His disciples three times. They did not understand or chose not to believe what He was saying. The same is true for us. When we seek holiness, our Lord tells us that we must be willing to be “handed over,” “condemned,” “mocked and scourged and crucified,” so that, with Jesus, we can be raised up. Each person’s path to the Cross will be unique, but we all must accept it if we want to share in Christ’s Kingdom. It is the only way.

Being better everyday in this Lenten context means committing to small, consistent steps of conversion, growing in gratitude by thanking God even amid trials, complaining less by offering hardships as united to Christ's Passion, and humbly accepting whatever "chalice" He asks us to drink. True improvement isn't about avoiding suffering or chasing positions of honor; it's about daily dying to self so we can rise in Christ's likeness. The disciples' ambition for seats of glory had to be transformed into ambition for service: “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant… just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26–28, NABRE). As we strive to be better each day through our resolutions, let this Gospel remind us that authentic greatness—and daily spiritual progress—comes from humble, joyful service and willingness to embrace the Cross.

Reflect today on Jesus looking at you with love and asking, “Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” Try to understand what that means. What does the Cross look like in your life? Often, when we encounter crosses, we flee from them, presuming they are bad, and even pray for them to go away. Yet our Lord lovingly tells us to carry that cross with His strength, peace, and joy. That is the only way to authentic holiness and the only way to true greatness in the Kingdom of God. Do not fear Christ’s Cross. It is the answer to all you long for in life. Use this resolution to examine daily: Am I growing in gratitude for the crosses that purify me? Am I complaining less and serving more? Am I becoming better by imitating Christ's humble self-giving?

My gentle Lord, like Your disciples, I often want my crosses removed from my life rather than carry them with the aid of Your grace. I desire to drink from the Sacred Chalice of Your Passion so that I may share in Your Resurrection and glory. Give me courage when I encounter the crosses You wish me to carry and the wisdom to discern Your path to glory. Help me to be better everyday, more grateful, less complaining, more humble in service, and fully surrendered to Your will. Through daily efforts in this Lenten journey, transform my ambitions into Yours: to serve rather than be served, and to love as You love. Jesus, I trust in You.