Can You Drink The Cup? (Mark 10:38)

“Can you drink the cup?”
(Mark 10:38)

Two demanding disciples James and John the sons of Zebedee, approach Jesus and ask him for the finest seats in heaven. They both want to sit on either side with their Master. Jesus has just predicted the sufferings he is going to endure, his horrific death and three days later, His rising to glory. I think the two disciples are more fascinated with the rising to glory part than the suffering bit. When Jesus asks them, “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” without a second thought, ‘yes, we can’ comes, the reply. What Jesus is asking is, “Are you going to take up the cross and follow me? Are you willing to give your life in suffering for the love of humanity? Are you willing to be baptized with the second baptism that I am going to undergo, not in the River Jordan, but a baptism of blood on the cross?” ….Are you willing??

One of the last books that author Henri Noumen wrote was, “Can You Drink the Cup?” Henri speaks of how he matured as a man and as a priest over thirty-five years of priesthood. He states "it is a sacrificial gift." Drinking from His cup meant to be one with Him as He lays down His life in loving sacrifice for humanity. It means sharing the pain of the oppressed, the heartbreak of the lonely, spending time with the unloved of society, the chained prisoner, the backsliding addict, the woes of the sick and those discouraged by failure. If “yes” then there is no looking back! Each one of us is asked the same question as the two disciples in the gospel, “Can you drink this cup?”

Jesus makes it very clear what drinking from the same cup meant. You cannot lord over others you have to become a slave of humanity, and serve people and give your life as a ransom for all. We have to let go of pride and ego, stoop low enough to touch the fallen. Jesus links the drinking of his cup with martyrdom in his response to James and John’s request.

The same happens at the Eucharist. We enter into the mystery of the cross, the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. By receiving the cup of the Eucharist, we unite ourselves to Christ. We say, in effect, “Lord I want to die with you. I want to drink from your cup.” Every time we come to the Eucharist let us not bring a wish list of favours, but let us offer up our services, our talents, and ourselves as a pleasing sacrifice to God. Let us be willing to follow Jesus on the way of the cross, unafraid of the many obstacles in our path. Then the cup of suffering will be transformed into the cup of blessing and joy by our Father in heaven.

“Jesus, lover of my soul, my greatest desire is to follow you. Help me to take up my cross daily, and to overcome the obstacles that lie ahead.”