2 Corinthians 4:7-15; Psalm 125(126):1-6; Matthew 20:20-28
The audacity of James’ and John’s mother is actually more stark than might be realised if just the passage from Mass today leads us to understand. Just one verse before, Matthew tells us that Jesus has taken the twelve apostles aside and has told them that the son of man will be crucified and that on the third day raised. Perhaps full marks for realising that Jesus was going to be raised to his kingdom.
The response from Jesus about sharing the chalice, was a common motif from the Old Testament - it appears in Psalm 75, Isaiah 51 and Jeremiah 25). It describes God’s wrath to be poured out upon the wicked. The boys are not deterred, nor are they when Jesus invites them to share in his passion and death (as he just did before today’s Gospel reading).
Interestingly, Matthew then in the next verses, teaches us about how two blind beggars are healed. Do they stand I wonder, for the inner healing in James and John? Their ambition, or greed, was certainly healed. John, in Acts of the Apostles, always gives way to allow Peter to proclaim the good news, James very soon is martyred (to placate the Jews, by Herod).
The clear message that we must take from both John and James’ lives, is to seek a life of service in this world, not glory in the kingdom hereafter.