Drink the Cup that I Drink – Mark 10:32-45 Reflection
Christ offers us the opportunity to drink the cup as he did. If you think deeply about what he asks, can you drink from the cup? His request is more than a symbolic “from.” When you drink from the cup, you are meant to give of yourself as Christ did. To commit to an absolute giving away of the contents of love in your heart, in the same way, is not easy. The difficult challenges also include persecution and joining Christ on the Cross. Nevertheless, the offer can be accepted to the best of your ability in a world with only a percentage of humble servants. We cannot all do so, but Christ is joyful even if our yes is partial because He becomes visibly present in these moments. His Glory becomes our glory, entering and exiting us in all directions and forms.
Can you drink the chalice that I drink? (medium-resolution image of a painting by Jerry)
Note from Jerry: This is my favorite painting that I have painted because I believe Jesus’s question about whether we can drink from the chalice is the most profound in the Bible.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Mark 10:32-45 – Scripture*
A Third Time Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
32 They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him, 33 saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles; 34 they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.”
The Request of James and John
35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” 39 They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
41 When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. 42 So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Mark 10:32-45 Reflection – Drink the Cup.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate various forms of expression in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Mark 10 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Drink the Cup
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.