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Then 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.” Matthew 20:20–21
What a bold move by the mother of the sons of Zebedee! A common
misconception at that time was that the Messiah would usher in a
new political and earthly kingdom and those who held positions of
power in this kingdom would bask in earthly glory. However, Jesus’
mission as the Messiah was to establish a far superior Kingdom
through His Passion and Resurrection. These two disciples, along
with their mother, did not yet understand this.
Just before this passage, Jesus took the Twelve aside and
prophesied His Passion and Resurrection: “...the Son of Man will be
handed over… they will condemn him to death… be mocked and scourged
and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” This is the
third time in Matthew’s Gospel that Jesus predicts His Passion.
It’s surprising that, immediately after this prophecy, the mother
of the sons of Zebedee asks Jesus to give her two sons the most
prominent positions in His Kingdom. Jesus initially responds, “You
do not know what you are asking.”
In many ways, Jesus says the same to us. When we pray and seek to
grow closer to God, we don’t always understand what we are truly
asking for. Like these two disciples and their mother, we might
think that growing in holiness means God will protect us from all
illnesses, difficulties, crosses, and problems—replacing them with
consolations, a comfortable life, family unity, success at work,
notoriety, and even wealth. But that’s not the Gospel. The Gospel
always points us to the Cross, while promising God’s grace to carry
it, not avoid it.
As Jesus said to these two disciples, He also says to us when we
pray for greater holiness: “Can you drink the chalice that I am
going to drink?” In other words, the path to holiness is the Cross.
It’s the only way. Jesus tells us this in many ways, just as He
told His disciples three times. They did not understand or chose
not to believe what He was saying. The same is true for us. When we
seek holiness, our Lord tells us that we must be willing to be
“handed over,” “condemned,” “mocked and scourged and crucified,” so
that, with Jesus, we can be raised up. Each person’s path to the
Cross will be unique, but we all must accept it if we want to share
in Christ’s Kingdom. It is the only way.
Reflect today on Jesus looking at you with love and asking, “Can
you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” Try to understand
what that means. What does the Cross look like in your life? Often,
when we encounter crosses, we flee from them, presuming they are
bad, and even pray for them to go away. Yet our Lord lovingly tells
us to carry that cross with His strength, peace, and joy. That is
the only way to authentic holiness and the only way to true
greatness in the Kingdom of God. Do not fear Christ’s Cross. It is
the answer to all you long for in life.
My gentle Lord, like Your disciples, I often want my crosses
removed from my life rather than carry them with the aid of Your
grace. I desire to drink from the Sacred Chalice of Your Passion so
that I may share in Your Resurrection and glory. Give me courage
when I encounter the crosses You wish me to carry and the wisdom to
discern Your path to glory. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: Christ meeting the wife and the sons of Zebedee by Paolo
Veronese
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