condemn him to death, and hand him over to the foreigners, who will make fun of him, spit on him, scourge him, and kill him; but three
days later he will rise.” James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Master, we want you to grant us what
we are going to ask of you.” And he said, “What do you want me to do for you?” They answered, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand
and one at your left, when you come in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup
that I drink, or be baptized in the way I am baptized?” They answered, “We can.” And Jesus told them, “The cup that I drink you
will drink, and you will be baptized in the way that I am baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant. It has
been prepared for others.” (...)

Reflection:

Jesus is going near the place of sacrifice. Jerusalem is where God will
bare His heart to the world. Meanwhile, the Twelve and others who followed are
apprehensive. They cannot understand how their Master could be so calm
despite the impending doom. However, it did not dampen the ambition
of some of them. James and John comes forward with their request for
self promotion. It is in contrast to their Master’s willingness to sacrifice
Himself without regard to the self. This provokes a heated debate among
the Twelve. This argument shadowed the soon to be crucifixion of their Lord and
Teacher. Ambition always blurs that which is more important.

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