You have to love James and John! Somewhat clueless, two
bumbling brothers, just off the boat but with their sights set
on seats of glory with Jesus in his kingdom. I give them
credit—at least they have their eyes on the prize. They know
what they want, and they know Jesus can help them get there.

Yes, but . . . there is a striking contrast between the
Zebedee brothers’ path and that of Jesus. James and John are
intent on upward mobility—in a parallel account, even their
mother goes to bat for them—but Jesus’ path is one of downward
mobility. To gain a high place in heaven, you must
choose the lowest places on earth, willing to serve everyone,
willing to esteem everyone as better than yourself. To drink
the cup of blessing, you must also drink from the cup of sorrow
and suffering.

That was the way of Jesus, the great high priest. He wasn’t
distant or aloof. He didn’t robe himself in finery, status, or
even his inherent divinity. His clothing was human flesh,
human weakness, everything but human sin. As Pope Francis
has often said, Jesus smelled like us, the sheep he came to
shepherd. Jesus was approachable because he first sought
us out, even going to the darkest, deadliest places where
we lose ourselves.

I like to think that the seats of glory are not merely there
and then, but here and now. Could it be that the seats of glory
are seats of mercy, ready and waiting for all who seek mercy
and who are, themselves, willing to be merciful?

Fr. John Meoska

John Meoska, OSB, is a monk of Saint John’s Abbey and an avid
woodworker.