“My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
How is it that so much of the scripture sounds so familiar? Helicopter mom? Nothing new! There she is in the Gospel of Matthew. But a thousand years before the mother of Zebedee's sons, Bathsheba had arranged for her Solomon to succeed David. And before her, Rachel and son Jacob conspired to swindle Esau of the blind Isaac's blessing.
In today's gospel Zebedee's wife and son demand something of Jesus he cannot give. They cannot imagine that he does not have the authority, nor can they foresee two criminals seated to the right and left of his "throne."
Jesus never forgets that he serves his Father, nor does he overreach his given authority. In continual communion with the LORD, whom he knows as "Abba," he can heal the sick, raise the dead, and preach Good News to the poor; but, even yet, his authority is limited and he does not presume upon it.
To strangers it might make no sense. "If you can do this, why can't you do that? Doesn't the one proceed logically from the other? Isn't it reasonable to assume?"
In relationship with a loved one, and sharing the loved one's authority, there is a delicacy that might seem incomprehensible to a third party. That delicacy is a sense, a feeling, a sensibility characterized by confidence and caution. It might appear like fear, as in "fear of the Lord." It knows when to presume to act, and when to refrain from acting. There is time to pray on it.
The sons of Zebedee are in a hurry; they're competing with other disciples and they want a decision well in advance. They want to arrive there first. They are stonewalled by Jesus's amused reluctance.
The Lord takes this opportunity to remind them of their mission which flows from his mission:
... whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
If the disciples cannot understand his refusal to decide who should sit at his right and left, they understand even less his obedience to the Father, and our obedience to an inspired Church. Pentecost will open their minds and prepare them to be crucified with him.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.