Homily (Reflection) for the Feast of
Saint James, Ap. (25th July, 2017) on the Gospel and the Feast
2Cor 4:7-15;
Ps 125. (R. v.5);
Matt 20:20-28.
Saint James was son of
Zebedee and Salome, and brother of Saint John, cf. Matt 4:21. He was a
fisherman and one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, cf. Matt 4:21; Lk
5:10; Matt 10:2. Saint James is also referred to as James the Greater to
distinguish him from the other apostle James, son of Alphaeus, cf. Acts 1:13;
Matt 10:3. Jesus nicknamed James and his brother, John, Boanerges,
meaning, sons of thunder, cf. Mk 3:17.
He was killed with the sword by King Herod in c. 44 AD, cf. Acts 12:2. And according to tradition, he
was the first apostle to be martyred.
Topic: A follower of Christ.
The mother of James and John came to Jesus with the duo and
made this request, “Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your
right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” They even promised their
readiness to drink the cup He was about to drink. Yet Jesus told them that those
positions were reserved for those the Father had prepared them for. Their
action infuriated the rest. Jesus gave them this teaching,
You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but
whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes
to be first among you must be your slave.
Following Christ involves a process of formation that results
in transformation. Hence, the gospel reads, “And he appointed twelve, whom he
also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the
message” (Mk 3:14). In the letters
of Saint Paul, he talked about old and new selves, cf. Rom 6:6-11; Eph 4:17-24.
In today’s gospel, we see Saint James among others being
transformed. We also see a similar thing in the gospel according to Luke when
they wanted to call down fire from heaven, cf. Lk 9:51-55.
We celebrate him today because he assimilated this process of
transformation unlike those who went away, cf. Jn 6:66. Now the question is, ‘Do you assimilate this process or do
you go away?’
Bible Reading: Rom 12:1-8;
15:1-6.
Thought for today: We follow Christ to learn from Him, cf. Matt
11:29.
Let us pray: Christ, teach us what it means to be
your disciple – Amen.
Saint James – Pray for us.
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