The Holy Gospel according to Matthew (20:20-28).
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.” He replied, “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.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, 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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Reflection: Today we celebrate the Feast of St. James, one of the 12 Apostles. James, along with his brother John, Peter and Andrew were the first to be called by Jesus to be his followers. James, Peter and John also witnessed some of the most important events during Jesus’ ministry, like the Transfiguration and the Lord’s agony in the garden of Gethsemane among others. This Gospel begins with the mother of James and John approaching Jesus to advocate for them. She wants her sons to have places of honor in his kingdom by asking him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.” This is a very human request. Like all mothers, she only wants the best for her sons. This reminds me of my mother, and all mothers, who constantly prayed for their children, wanting the best for them, so that they may be drawn closer to Christ. Thank God for our mothers who pray for their children to be closer to Christ.
Then Jesus redirects the conversation to James and John, and asks them, “Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” In other words, Jesus is asking them if they can share in His suffering and sacrifice?
This exchange between Jesus, James and John tells us something important about discipleship. The world tells us that greatness come from status, power, fame and being number one. This is what Jame’s and John’s mother was asking for her sons. But Jesus turns this idea upside down. True greatness in the Kingdom of God is not in power or status, but in humility, in service, and in love poured out for others. Jesus tells us, “Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant.”
James did not hesitate to follow Christ. James was a faithful witness to the Gospel. Tradition says James went to preach the Gospel as far as Spain. James was effective in spreading the Good News that today he is revered as the patron saint of Spain. When Jesus asked James if he could drink the cup that He was going to drink, James said that he could. James is the only apostle whose martyrdom is recorded in the New Testament (Acts 12:2).
Action for the Day: This Gospel invites us to reflect on our own desires and ambitions. Are we a disciple because we want to be recognized, to be in control, and show others all the good things that we are doing? Or are we willing to serve as Christ served, without ambition, with humility and with love? We can follow the example of St. James. May we pray for the grace to follow Christ, taking courage from St. James, trusting that true discipleship leads to the joy of our eternal reward.
Audio Reflection:
Thank you, Deacon Mike.