No Picnic

This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.

Every day on earth is a miracle, and we should take stock of this from time to time: My life, as a free and thinking being, is like a universe unto itself; and that universe combines with a squishy pile of matter, subject to all the harsh physical laws to which every rock on our planet is subject. And, that squishy pile of matter is useful for our driving spirit, to transport it in time and space and to manipulate the physical world surrounding it. It is a marvelous reality, one that would be completely unexpected to an external observer of the cold, inanimate broader universe in which human life is found.

But as marvelous as it is, human life is fraught with sufferings, miseries, and humiliations, as depicted in the first reading and the psalm. We pray to God to come to our aid in the midst of our sufferings and difficulties, hopeful that He will lift us up, hopeful that He loves us and is willing to use His power on our behalf.

The gospel of today presents a curious segue from a description of suffering to a request for glory. Jesus describes to his disciples in some detail the trials and sufferings to which He will be subjected, but from which He will emerge in glory. Seemingly rather callously, James and John request a place of privilege in Jesus’ glory, ignoring the part about scourging, mocking, and execution. We may scoff at these men for their lack of compassion with their Master.

But aren’t we the same at times? We want what we want. Like the author of the first reading, we want divine aid, we want to be saved from our miseries. Like James and John, we quest after tangible glory.

In the end, though, as marvelous as this beautiful life is that God has created for us, we cannot expect a reality different from that with which Jesus confronts James and John. Here on earth we are living in a “valley of tears,” in which we are called to drink of the same chalice from which Jesus is called to drink. Here on earth, our peace and glorious destiny are not fully consummated. We are called to accept the sufferings of our life together with Jesus, and offer them as an aid to Him in His great mission of saving human beings.

Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Tell Jesus that you understand His message to James and John, and that you too are willing to drink the chalice of which He drank. Ask Him to give you the strength to hope in eternity for the consummation of your desires for greatness and glory, and to accept fully your mission here on earth, with all its grave challenges.