Today's Gospel in Art: James and John asked 'Allow us to sit at your right and left hand'

Call of the Sons of Zebedee, by Marco Basaiti © Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 17th October 2021 - Mark 10:35-45

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached Jesus. 'Master,' they said to him 'we want you to do us a favour.' He said to them, 'What is it you want me to do for you?' They said to him, 'Allow us to sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory.' 'You do not know what you are asking' Jesus said to them. 'Can you drink the cup that I must drink, or be baptised with the baptism with which I must be baptised?' They replied, 'We can.' Jesus said to them, 'The cup that I must drink you shall drink, and with the baptism with which I must be baptised you shall be baptised, but as for seats at my right hand or my left, these are not mine to grant; they belong to those to whom they have been allotted.'

When the other ten heard this they began to feel indignant with James and John, so Jesus called them to him and said to them, 'You know that among the pagans their so-called rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all. For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'

Reflection on the Painting

Our painting by Marco Basaiti, created for the high altar of the now demolished Carthusian church of Sant'Andrea della Certosa in Venice, depicts the calling of Zebedee's sons, James and John. They are seen to be stepping out of their boat after a fishing trip. Zebedee is on the far right, kneeling and pointing his finger to Jesus, showing he is in agreement with his sons dedicating their future lives to Christ. The painting was commissioned by Carthusian Patriarch Andrea Suriano (1504-1508). He wanted the subject matter of the calling of the sons of Zebedee to encourage the monks to renew their vocation, every day, by comparing them to the first apostles. Saint Andrew, to whom the church was dedicated, is positioned to the left of Jesus; Saint Peter with the long white beard is standing to the right of Jesus. Also note that the fisherman between James and John is wearing a turban. In 16th-century Venice, where Basaiti worked, the turban was a common feature in images to depict Jews and Arabs alike.

In today's reading we hear how James and John request privileged places of authority at Jesus' right and left. In asking so, they appear to have missed everything Jesus has said and done so far. They recognise Jesus' authority but fail to understand His true message. It is as if they want to capitalise on Jesus to put themselves in positions of power. Jesus gently chastises the two of them and reiterates what is awaiting Him in Jerusalem. He gives them a reality check to get them away from their visions of a triumphant reign. For God, true greatness is to serve!

We all have a desire to be recognised for something we did well. It is always nice to get compliments. However, when we seek power and recognition for their own sake, the healthy "well done my friend, that was great" can become an unhealthy obsession and a devious motivational drive. Today Jesus tells us to relax and that we don't need to seek this type of recognition. Jesus is simply calling us to serve and if we do so, He will give us all the recognition, approval and, above all, love, that we need. And hopefully when we leave this earthly life and meet Jesus He will be able to say "Well done my friend, you tried!"

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/962
Christian Art - www.christian.art/