During this Lent, we are invited to reflect deeply on our relationship with God and our responsiveness to His call. Throughout this series of reflections, we are asked if we can drink from His cup. We are challenged to contemplate our willingness to embrace the fullness of life’s experiences, both joyful and sorrowful, in union with Christ the Good Shepherd; this means to “walk in all the ways that [the Lord has] command [us.]”
To “drink the cup” signifies a complete acceptance of our life’s journey, with all its trials and triumphs, in faithful obedience to God’s will. This act of acceptance requires deep listening—a receptivity to God’s voice guiding us through our conscience, Scripture, and daily life experiences.
Being asked, “Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” poses a direct challenge to all disciples. It invites participation in His mission, which involves sacrifice, service, and ultimately, redemption. The apostles’ immediate affirmation, “We can,” illustrates a readiness that we are also called to embody, even if we don’t fully grasp the depth of this commitment.
However, such readiness is in vain without the foundation of listening. The Israelites’ failure to heed God’s voice led them away from His covenant. Similarly, the onlookers in today’s Gospel from Luke were skeptics, which prevented them from recognizing the Messiah in their midst. These examples serve as cautionary tales, reminding us that without attentive listening, we risk missing God’s presence and purpose in our lives.
In this Lenten season, let us cultivate the discipline of silence to truly hear God’s voice. As Henri Nouwen and many saints of the Church remind us that, embracing the disciplines of silence, the Holy Spirit can lead us through word and action to spiritual freedom. By doing so, we will ultimately be prepared to drink the cup—to fully engage with the life God has given us, embracing its challenges and blessings, and aligning ourselves with His divine will.
May you and I respond to God’s call with open hearts, be ready to listen, and be willing to partake in the cup of life that leads to our salvation.