A Leaven In The World… Greedy For The Comfort Of Grace
By FR. KEVIN M. CUSICK
The mother of James and John was mistaken to request places for her sons, one at Christ’s left and the other at His right, in His Kingdom.
“At that time, as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them, ‘Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the Scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and will deliver Him to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified; and on the third day He will rise again.’ Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons; and worshipping, she made a request of Him. He said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to Him:
“‘Command that these my two sons may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left hand, in your Kingdom.’ But Jesus answered and said, ‘You do not know what you are asking for. Can you drink of the cup of which I am about to drink?’ They said to Him, ‘We can.’ He said to them, ‘Of my cup you shall indeed drink; but as for sitting at my right hand and at my left, that is not mine to give you, but it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father’” (Matt. 20:17ff).
This Gospel, proclaimed during Lent, sets the stage for Lord’s crucifixion and death, sharing details from the reaction of the apostles to the dreaded news. In her mother’s love, the woman, who comes forward after the Lord proclaims the details of His Passion, is willing even to forgo the comfort of the presence of her sons in her old age. The beautiful love of a mother seeks comfort in a sacrifice of self-interest: that of knowing James and John are successful not in a worldly way but in the matters of God.
St. Ambrose praises her greediness, not for worldly glory, but for grace, the glory of God shared by men. In her greediness for grace she was willing to forgo her own physical this-worldly comfort.
These times in which we live are discomforting for many. Humanity is afraid of the consequences of catching a virus, the symptoms and results of which have been described and depicted over and over again in terrifying detail. How much of it is true we may never know.
What we do know are the consequences of uncivil and even violent behavior on the part of those who live in fear.
Others are uncomfortable with restrictions on their freedom. How many children will grow up scarred and wounded because of exaggerated mask use? How many people will suffer the long-term ill effects of fear and hysteria? Time will tell.
The survivors of those who died with the virus seek comfort as they mourn the passing of loved family members and friends.
Many of our Catholics are most terrified not of dying, however that may come to pass, but of the effects on our life of faith and worship by the draconian mandates which distort our lives of prayer and praise, “masking” the face of God, as it were. Restrictions on worship are restrictions on faith. Inability to practice our faith fully and freely has ramifications for salvation. Take away salvation and we have a situation infinitely worse than a pandemic, no matter its effects however fearful.
Some fear being turned in by their neighbors for real or imagined violations of COVID restrictions and mandates. We were made to seek the face of the Lord in the midst of the discomforts life brings. If we fear God alone, as He commands, we are freed from fears of men and worldly discomforts. We must come before Him with our faces bared, without obstacles, so that we may enter into His love, greedy for grace.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold[a] of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
When evildoers assail me, uttering slanders against me,
my adversaries and foes, they shall stumble and fall.
Though a host encamp against me, my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
(Psalm 27:1-3).
To have the comfort of God, to overcome the discomforts of this world, we must seek Him in total freedom. To be free of fear we must have faith, placing our trust in the life of grace we share with Him. Grace is a Communion of love, intimacy with God which seeks to shed every barrier or obstacle between lover and beloved.
And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies round about me;
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud,
be gracious to me and answer me!
Thou hast said, “Seek ye my face.”
My heart says to thee,
“Thy face, Lord, do I seek.
Hide not thy face from me.”
(Psalm 27:6-9).
Seek the face of the Lord in faith for true and lasting comfort. Be greedy for grace as was the mother of James and John. Know the comfort of God in the gift of His presence.
The Precious Blood of Christ, which we receive together with His risen Body in Communion at holy Mass, is His presence conferred as gift and a call to likewise share in the cup of His redemptive suffering at a time and place appointed by the Father. The Lord thus gives us the strength to do the Father’s will. May we persevere in seeking the face of the Lord in these times of challenge. And always.
“Hide not Thy face from me.”
Thank you for reading and praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever.
