Originally published at National Catholic Register
Sunday, Oct. 20, is the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mass readings: Isaiah 53:10-11; Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22; Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 10:35-45 or 10:42-45.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, the Lord Jesus speaks of crosses and crowns. The apostles have only crowns in mind, but the Lord Jesus knows the price of that crown.
The Gospel reads: “James and John said to him, ‘Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.’”
James and John ask an inept question, even a demand, to sit in the places of honor. As we have already seen, this is a misplaced priority. Their understanding of the place of honor is worldly. Further, they want to move to the head of the table. They want the Lord to grant them this honor. Even in a worldly way of thinking, places of honor must usually be earned. Their priorities are misplaced: They want the crown without the cross.
Jesus replies, “You do not know what you are asking! Can you drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”
The bottom line is clear: They had absolutely no
