Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 146

The LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity. 
If he gives his life as an offering for sin, 
he shall see his descendants in a long life, 
and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished  through him. 
Because of his affliction he shall see the light in  fullness of days; 
through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.


As they are presented in all four gospels, Jesus' disciples are consistently clueless about his mission. Peter speaks for them when he declares, "You are the Messiah." They understand that much. But where this is going, they cannot fathom. The exception might be Thomas's statement to his mates, "Let us also go to die with him." but that is only a partial insight. Thomas apparently sees his champion dying in Jerusalem, like many warriors he is willing to live and die with his captain, but he cannot imagine the epilogue we are so familiar with. 
That said for the group, none are as oblivious as the sons of Zebedee, James and John. They want to sit at his right and left hand when he comes into his glory! Jesus replies that he cannot award them these places; those seats have been assigned already. 

...but is for those for whom it has been prepared. 

But we should not regard the obtuseness of the disciples as something comical, as if the stories are told for our entertainment. Nor is this a morality story, reminding us to avoid pretensions. 
The disciples cannot imagine the future. But that goes without saying. No one can! They cannot imagine what you and I have seen! -- and cannot imagine! 
They have no idea that two "revolutionaries" will sit on his right and left when he comes into his glory. How would that make sense to them? 
Calvary will reveal the glory of God. The centurion will frankly declare it. 
Calvary will reveal Jesus' mission: 

For the Son of Man did not come to be servedbut to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Calvary will reveal what it means to serve Jesus, as he explains in today's gospel, 

...whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.  

Finally, the Cenacle, Calvary and Easter will reveal the place of the disciples, where we sit. Not on his right and left but within him, for we are the Body of Christ, sent to the world just as certainly as he was, with the same mission of service.
It is a service, described as a form of slavery, characterized by suffering. Anyone expecting a life of privilege, comfort or luxury need not apply. Anyone expecting the world's recognition and respect should turn back.
The Lord will care for his servants; they will enjoy unexpected, undeserved, unearned pleasure at his right hand. They will know the privilege of the Holy Spirit, that same guiding force that drove the Lord throughout his life. But they will never be their own masters. That is reserved for others.