Three times Jesus foretold his passion. We may understand this fact by looking at the reactions of the disciples. The first time, Peter, representing all of the disciples, protested. The second time, they were silent before this great mystery: they had progressed a little - at least they no longer protested.

Today we read Jesus' third prophecy. Let us reflect on Jesus' question to James and John and on their reply. Jesus asked them "Can you drink the chalice I am to drink of?" To this they replied "We can". Their reply was spontaneous and generous, but in reality they did not know all that Jesus' question implied. Jesus accepted their reply and promised them that they would drink his chalice.

In view of the actual death of Jesus and of the persecution which afflicted the Church shortly afterwards, the reply of the two disciples may seem rather precipitous and even foolish. However, there is a lesson here. The disciples could not see the future, but their relationship with Jesus enabled them to respond generously. Similarly, none of us knows the future of any relationship, but we do enter into many relationships with hope and trust.