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Drinking Christ’s Chalice
The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons
and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. He said to
her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two
sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in
your Kingdom.” Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are
asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They
said to him, “We can.” Matthew 20:20–22
Among the Twelve Apostles, two were named James: James the Greater,
son of Zebedee, and James the Lesser, son of Alpheus. James the
Greater, whom we honor today, was likely called “greater” due to
his prominence in the Gospel narrative. He was the brother of John
the Evangelist, and tradition holds that their mother was Salome,
possibly the sister of the Blessed Virgin Mary—making James and
John cousins of Jesus.
In today’s Gospel, the mother of James and John expresses her
natural affection and ambition for her sons by approaching Jesus
with a bold request: that they might sit, one at His right and the
other at His left, in His Kingdom. While her petition reveals faith
in Jesus and love for her sons, it also highlights a
misunderstanding of the nature of Christ’s kingship. Earthly rulers
may reign with power, honor, and prestige, but the Kingdom of God
is not built on worldly glory; it is built on humble, self-giving
love.
Jesus responds with a gentle yet penetrating question: “Can you
drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” The “chalice” refers
to His suffering—His Passion and Death. It is filled not with
comfort or honor, but with humiliation and sacrifice. James and
John respond with confident simplicity: “We can.” Their answer,
though likely offered without full understanding, reveals a spark
of heroic love and loyalty that would, in time, be tested and
fulfilled.
Jesus affirms, “My chalice you will indeed drink.” Saint James
would become the first of the Apostles to suffer martyrdom, as
recorded in Acts 12:2, when he was beheaded by the sword under
Herod Agrippa. Herod sought to strike at the newly developing
Church and to appease the Jews who opposed Jesus and His
followers.
James truly shared in the Passion of Christ, offering his life in
union with his Master. His martyrdom was followed by the arrest of
Peter, likewise intended to please those persecuting the Church.
Yet while Peter was miraculously freed by an angel, James was not.
Why?
Like James and Peter, each of us has a unique mission in life.
Some, like Peter, are raised to prominence and leadership. Others,
like James, are called to a more hidden and radical sacrifice. Both
vocations are precious in the eyes of God. James’ early martyrdom
was not a failure but a fulfillment—a witness to the glory of
drinking deeply from the chalice of Christ.
As we honor Saint James, reflect today on his zeal, faith, and
desire to be an active member of Christ’s Kingdom. Though he
misunderstood what that entailed at first, he remained faithful
until the end. Reflect on your own desire for status or
recognition. Do you seek honor among others, whether in the Church
or society? If so, turn to Saint James, who ultimately embraced the
true mission of discipleship. We, too, must drink Christ’s chalice
of selfless and sacrificial love, willingly laying down our lives
in countless ways. Resolve to embrace whatever mission God entrusts
to you. If He opens the door to leadership and prominence, walk
through it humbly. If He leads you through the door of sacrifice
and holy suffering, do not hesitate. God has a unique and glorious
mission for each of us—different from one another, yet equally
glorious when accepted with love and fidelity.
My sacrificial Lord, You freely and completely offered Your life
on the Cross and invite me to follow in Your footsteps. Saint James
responded with courage, drinking the chalice You gave him, even to
the shedding of his blood. Reveal to me, Lord, the mission You have
entrusted to my life, and grant me the strength to embrace it with
all my heart. May I, like Saint James, share in the glory of Your
Kingdom through a life of faithful love and sacrifice. Jesus, I
trust in You.
Image: St James the Apostle, by Peter Paul Rubens
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