This morning I just want to offer a few words on today’s Gospel, where James and John ask to sit at Jesus’ right and left in his kingdom. In other words, they are asking for some sort of verbal confirmation of job security. How many of us have been anxious about whether our employer will give us tenure or whether we will survive lay offs?
Discipleship, however, is very different. The homilist at my parish noted that those who sat at Jesus’ left and right as he was preparing to enter his kingdom were those crucified with him.
We are offered security, but Jesus tells us that our securities are not recognition or a 401K. They are the promise of his Baptism and his Crucifixion, his preparation for mission and his passion. What this discipleship is about is not our position or our apparent success but rather the docility to the Word of God at work in us.
God bless you this Sunday!