The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Tuesday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
St. James, apostle

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
2 Corinthians 4:7-15
Psalm 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6
Matthew 20:20-28

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today’s Gospel we hear the very interesting account of how the mother of James and John asked the Lord for special favors for her sons. We don’t know all the details surrounding the conversation, such as, did James and John “put her up” to it, did they even know about it or have an opportunity to silence her? It seems that right after she made the request, Jesus asked James and John if they were up to the task of “drinking from the cup” as He would.

In any case, whether they were complicit in the request for special favors or not, Jesus made it clear what discipleship would entail and it was not characterized by special favors, as the world would have it. Instead it means identifying with the Sorrowful, Persecuted, Crucified Lord who in this world receives no special treatment or consideration. Quite the opposite was in fact true and it will be the same with those who wish to follow Him.

But wait, it’s not all a “wash-out” so to speak, there’s the “rest of the story--what comes after the Cross--The Resurrection and everlasting glory for those who will “drink from the same cup” of suffering and service as Jesus did.

“Walking by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them to follow Him.” (Matthew 4:18-21)
(Entrance Antiphon for today’s Mass)

- Donna Nelson, OCDS
(drn3rd at hughes dot net)