Gospel Commentary: Sons of Thunder

By Fr. John Riley
HERALD Columnist
(From the Issue of 6/28/01)

James the Greater and John the Beloved … "you gotta love ‘em!" Sons of Zebedee and Salome … plying their fisherman’s trade in the sapphire sea of Galilee … two-thirds of the "inner circle" chosen by Jesus to be with Him at key moments in His ministry (including the Transfiguration and Gethsemane). Loudmouths and hotheads they are, nicknamed by Jesus "Boanerges" (Sons of Thunder). In this week’s Gospel, they are at their "typical best."

The Christ has set His face like flint and begun the long journey to His death in Jerusalem. But the apostolic band must first pass through Samaritan territory. Messengers are sent ahead to prepare the way for the group. But the Samaritans don’t buy the "Kingdom of God." The disciples are selling, but they have no use for Jesus.

James and John, zealous firebrands, are infuriated. For two years now, they had seen Jesus meek and humble. They had heard about loving our enemies, praying for our persecutors, and turning the other cheek. So what’s their reaction? They want the privilege — notice, they want to do it themselves — of calling down fire from Heaven to burn them all alive! Elijah strikes back! Indiana Jones action … "seared clean by the wrath of God." They just don’t get it!

The shame-faced brothers receive their well-deserved rebuke from Jesus Himself. How frustrated Christ must have felt to see the men He Himself chose — those closest to Him — constantly missing the point.

Perhaps at times Jesus is equally frustrated with us. We live in a society which frequently is hostile towards all we hold to be holy and true … a culture of death. We love Jesus and we strive to serve the truth. At times we must watch our faith ridiculed, our ministers mocked and our traditions trampled underfoot by many who worship at the altar of secular humanism.

How should we react? Well, calling fire down from heaven won’t work, so why bother? Firing Scripture passages and magisterial statements at our listener’s ears won’t have much effect either. Intensity, zeal and passion frequently give way to anger … which is self-defeating when we seek to bring others to Christ.

We should begin by living the message ourselves. This in itself will attract attention. When we are quizzed or ridiculed, a quiet smile, a simple response with a reference to Scripture, and a bit of common sense go a long way. And remember, only a fool is convinced against his will … and not for long at that. Don’t always try to have a "pat" answer. Numerous times in Scripture, Jesus responded to a question with a question of His own … or even with silence. Keep the dialogue short and to the point. Ask others to respect your beliefs as your respect theirs. Plant the seed with patience and humility, and allow the Holy Spirit in His own time to provide the illuminating light and the water of Divine grace which can bring that person to faith.

James the greater was the first Apostle/martyr to shed his blood for Christ. We don’t know if he ever "lightened up." John the Beloved — well, tradition sees him as a very, very old and gentle man in his 80s or 90s, patiently exhorting his flock, "Little Children … love one another … for God is love." What wonders grace and a bit of old age can do for the firebrands among us.

And if there’s hope for the likes of the Sons of Thunder like James and John, there’s hope for us!

Fr. Riley is administrator of St. Louis Parish in Alexandria.

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