October 21, 2018

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Can You Drink the Cup?

Deacon Kevin O’Boyle

Have you ever been at a family party, and someone—the host perhaps—offers you something that you have never had—maybe never even heard of before. Or perhaps worse, you have heard of it, but really do not want to try it. In our Gospel today, Jesus presents to the sons of Zebedee just such a question—and they readily agree. But I wonder if they really knew what they were getting into. That Gospel question sets the theme for all our readings today.
 
In the first reading we turn to the prophet Isaiah to the section of this writings from which his famous Servant Song series is drawn. Immediately before our reading today, Isaiah lists in poetic style many of the sufferings Jesus would endure.  But as we hear in this reading the Father is pleased with the sacrifices of His son, and because of them, he will see the “light in fullness of days”. Through His sufferings, many will be justified. He will bear the guilt of many and they will be justified through this. In the terms of our Gospel readings, we might say that Isaiah presents a Messiah that saw the Cup and drank it, to the benefit of all those who would be justified.
 
In the second reading from Hebrews, we hear a story like the first, only from a post-Christ period rather than Isaiah’s prophetic viewpoint. We again see the story of a savior who took and drank of the Cup, whereby we were all to feel God’s mercy and grace.
 
Finally, we come to the Gospel story. Here the imagery or the Cup is unveiled. The Sons of Zebedee, James and John, come to Jesus to ask a favor—could they sit in places of honor in the Kingdom. Jesus tells them that those places are not His to give. But questions whether they could drink the cup from which he is to drink. They immediately answer yes—but I wonder if they, like Jesus, really knew what they were saying. This brings me to the point, I believe, of these readings in our lives today.
 
Fr. Henri Nouwen presents a great commentary on this question in his book, Can You Drink the Cup. Turning frequently to events in his own life, Nouwen speaks of three steps- holding, lifting, and finally drinking the cup. To drink of the cup, you first must hold it. Know that it can hold joys and sorrows. Look honestly and critically at our life and how we live it, along with what the cup may hold. If we are honest, this can be a scary time, because we will often be faced with the unknown or fearful. We then lift it to share with others, as they do theirs as in a toast. Those of you familiar with the musical Fiddler on the Roof may recall the song, To Life, To Life, L’chaim. It is a toast, taking all that we know (and don’t know) about our lives, and offering it to each other in mutual support.  We share those things that the cup holds. Finally, we drink from the cup. In doing so, we accept all that it holds, and claim it as our own.
 
Jesus asks each of us every day if we can drink the cup. He calls on us to constantly examine our lives—the cups we are offered—and asks us if we can drink of them as he did of His. This may be as simple as befriending someone new—or as all-encompassing as accepting a life dedicated to ordained ministry or the religious life. What each of us might ask, is how Nouwen’s four steps play out in the cup we are being offered. Do we dare to hold it and see what it may contain for us? Can we accept that and offer it to others? Can we finally drink it, claiming all it has as our own, and vowing to live with and to whatever ends it might call us? That’s some pretty heavy thinking. Certainly, something to think about this week, and whenever we are offered a cup. God Bless.