Deacon Brigid Waszczak

Sisters and Brothers,

In today’s Gospel reading (Matthew 20:20-28), the mother of Zebedee’s sons seems like a pushy mom. Yet she only followed up on Jesus’ previous statement, “When the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones.” (Matthew 19:28)

But, she ignored his prediction that he would “be delivered over to the chief priests [who would]… condemn him to death… to be mocked… flogged and crucified.” (Matthew 20:17-19) Perhaps ambition gave her selective hearing?

When our sons were young, the eldest was a good athlete whom kids vied for as team leader and player in neighborhood games. His brother, four years younger, hadn’t yet developed athletic prowess.

One day, the neighbor boys decided our younger son couldn’t join either team and should go home. “If he goes, I go!” said our oldest. “He can play on my team.” Begrudgingly, they agreed.

Our son inverted his privilege as desired player to become the servant of his brother, advocating for his inclusion. He redefined privilege as responsibility, emphasizing service and humility, abandoning ambition.

He was too young to have learned this lesson about being kind and helpful to everyone, especially those who need a little extra help from the Gospel. But he came from a family (two older sisters, and parents) that served the community and church without seeking recognition or title. Our son absorbed that ethic at his young age.

James and John’s mother envisioned Jesus as triumphant Messiah, restoring Israel to power. She missed his messages about service and suffering—as did the other disciples who were immediately incensed over her request.

The idea of being a humble servant, showing compassion, kindness, and love didn’t fit with her and the other disciples’ narrative despite Jesus teaching that ethic continuously. They missed his message of inverting power and ambition to become the servant of all.

Even after years of studying the Gospels, even when I think I’ve absorbed their salient message, when I reread them, they offer a different perspective, a new way to live them.

What do I hear or ignore from Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels?

—Deacon Brigid