The Gospel today presents us with the boldness of the sons of Zebedee, James and John. They approach Jesus, unlike the account of St. Matthew in which their mother approached Jesus on their behalf, and ask Him to give places of honor at Jesus’ right and left to themselves. To that, Jesus asks:
“‘Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?’ They said to Him, ‘We can’.”
Perhaps the boldness was not in their asking to be placed at Jesus’ right and left; but maybe, the boldness is their willingness to follow Christ so closely that they would enter into His suffering and death. The others became indignant at the brothers. Was the source of their indignation the willingness of the brothers to risk everything for the sake of Christ? Or, were they indignant at the brothers because they were the first to jump at the opportunity and profess their willingness?
It seems that this was not a question reserved for the two brothers; namely, “can you?” It is addressed to you and me. Can we show the boldness and willingness to follow Christ unreservedly? Can we sacrifice all things for the sake of Christ and His Gospel? Can we enter into suffering with the attitude that this is for Christ and His Church? Can we?
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Wayne