NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED

Growing up, I didn’t understand that when most people said “no good deed goes unpunished” they meant the punishment would come directly from the recipient of the good deed.

As a parent, I found myself often telling my children that their good deeds would reap rewards.  That when they act in caring and helpful ways, especially for those most in need, they will feel good about what they’ve done and others will appreciate it, too.  Sadly, we know this is not always the case.  Good deeds can be met with outright hostility, and trying to explain that sad fact to our children is difficult.

Today’s reading from the book of Jeremiah is an illustration of the truth that no good deed goes unpunished.  Jeremiah’s life is threatened, the cruel irony is that he had previously interceded for the very people who now seek his life.  Such is the fate of a prophet torn between divine judgment and care for the people.  So, it is with Jesus’ good deeds.  In his third prediction of his impeding passion, on the way to Jerusalem, he leaves little to the imagination of what is going to occur.

I guess what always gets me is that after this prediction, the mother of the sons of Zebedee makes her request on behalf of her sons.  I have to believe they really don’t get what Jesus is trying to communicate concerning his model of discipleship that is summarized for me in the question, “Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?" (Mt 20:22) What is our response?

As daily communicants and for those who have made the commitment to include daily Mass a part of your Lenten disciplines.  Ask yourself, “Can you drink the cup that Jesus drank?”  This is the question the late Henri Nouwen asks in this book “Can You Drink the Cup?”  He shares how this question pierced his heart like the sharp spear of a hunter.  How he knew taking this question seriously would radically change our lives.  It is the question that has the power to crack open a hardened heart and lay bare the tendons of the spiritual life.

Can you drink the cup?  Can you empty it to the dregs?  Can you taste all the sorrows and joys?  Can you live your life to the full whatever it will bring?  These are the questions of the Eucharistic Chalice.  Drinking the cup of life involves holding, lifting, and drinking.  It is the full celebration of being human.  Can we hold our life, life our life, and drink it, as Jesus did; knowing the life lived as his disciple that odds are true that no good deed goes unpunished?