Title: Drinking Jesus’ Chalice
Text: Matthew 20:20-28
In Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural homily to the college of cardinals, he concluded his message with a solemn warning and encouragement. Referencing St. Ignatius of Antioch’s letter to the Roman church, he said, “Then I will truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world no longer sees my body.” In the homily, his comment is almost like a brief aside to the cardinals. The average listener might have missed the reference, but we know what Ignatius means. He’s describing his impending death by martyrdom. St. Ignatius and the Holy Father challenge all priests to be faithful even to martyrdom if that is Christ’s will.
It’s unlikely that martyrdom was on the mind of St. James’s mother. When she came to Jesus, paid him homage, and wanted to ask him something, she asked what any mother would like for their children. She wanted him to be better off than she was. I doubt she sought fame, but she wanted a good life for her sons. These two fishermen had left their father’s business, and she wanted a promotion. Jesus likely does not reprimand their mother. He addresses St. James and his brother John directly.