Power and Position

Today’s Gospel Text:  And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death, 19 and deliver him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day." 20 Then the mother of the sons of Zeb'edee came up to him, with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom." 22 But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" They said to him, "We are able." 23 He said to them, "You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; 28 even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matt 20:17-28

Reflection: There are many things in the world which works on the basis of influence, which sometimes includes jobs and positions.

So often we desire in the process of gain that someone puts in a good word for us so that we are able to get a good job or a position in the corporate world or in an institute of learning.

The mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with similar intentions and what is marvelous is that she does not just ask Jesus by way of request nor asks him to put in a good word but rather implores him to command.

It does show a marvelous faith and confidence on their part in the power of Jesus and in a way recognizes the divine power in Jesus to overcome all obstacles and odds to overcome any opposition. If only he commands!

Such an assertion requires faith and these children of Zebedee show the same faith in their following of Jesus.

Does Jesus accede to their request, born out of a great ambition, which can even be termed a spiritual ambition?  What these were asking, along with their mother was not a worldly kingdom but a partnership in the reign of Christ.

Jesus in no way accedes to their request but in plain terms without mincing any words talks to them of sharing the same cup of suffering.

The scripture does not assure us that they actually did not understand the full implication of such a request from Jesus or could it be that they were already familiar with the term suffering as being closely associated with the cup.

But what comes across is clear; we are called to serve Christ dutifully and as for the higher rewards, we need to leave it to the Father who apportions to each one as he deems fit.

And one way he deems anyone possible worthy of a higher reward is by one’s action manifested through servant hood, slave hood and finally, the willingness to offer one’s life as a ransom, by participating in the mission of Christ Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, prepare our hearts for your great call and to seek that higher goal in total accord with your teachings.

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