Feast of St. James, Apostle

We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained, perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed. – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to this rock I’m clinging. Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?

       Oh how I love this song, and I get teary-eyed whenever this is sung at Mass.

       There were many occasions in my life when I felt like I had hit rock bottom and I no longer had the strength to get back up and move on with life. I’d have endless nights of crying, complaining and questioning God. But somehow I’ve managed to survive. For despite all the whining, God manifested Himself in many ways to remind me that I was never alone.

       God didn’t promise He would carry our every burden all the time. If such were the case, we would never learn, never grow, never persevere and learn to endure life’s many afflictions. But God did say He will be with us every step of the way — to comfort, to guide, and to console us. So do not despair when you are weighed down with problems. Cling to your faith and God will help you regain your strength to overcome your distress. Jane Gonzales-Rauch (mgr516@gmail.com)

Reflection: God makes us stronger and wiser each time we conquer a struggle.

Dear Lord, may I not be defeated by my weakness and praise You even in the midst of torment.

St. James, Apostle, pray for us.

Paul knows the fragility of human life and the even greater fragility of the human spirit. This has not stopped God from entrusting us with the most precious gift that He can give — His Son, Jesus. Each of us is called to welcome Jesus into our lives as Savior, Lord and friend. Our faith will always be a fragile reality, too, especially in a world as hostile as the one we have today.

7 Brothers and sisters: We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you. 13 Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we too believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. 15 Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.

R: Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

1 When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing. (R) Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad indeed. (R) 4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the torrents in the southern desert. 5 Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. (R) 6 Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. (R)

The Gospel is not interested in selfish concerns; it is not interested in power plays or self-promotion. It is, however, interested in those who are willing to serve. Despite their faults, James and John desire to serve the Gospel. This is why Jesus has chosen them to be His Apostles. Let us prove ourselves worthy of working in the Kingdom of God by demonstrating our willingness to lay down our lives in its service.

I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.

20 The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. 21 He said to her, “What do you wish?” She answered him, “Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” 23 He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 When the ten heard this, they became indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. 26 But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; 27 whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. 28 Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

think:  Each of us is called to welcome Jesus into our lives as Savior, Lord and friend.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Judith 5-8

A LESSON FOR US

How we look at today’s saint, St. James the Greater — with the appended tag of superiority in his name, his prominence in the Gospel narratives (innermost circle of Jesus’ Apostles, exclusive access to special miracles, and so on), and his preeminence as the first martyr among the Apostles — seems to be an antithesis to the message of the Gospel passage today. “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave,” Jesus insists.

       Our Lord’s words can’t be any clearer and more straight to the point. And with His own self as the example (“Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many”), the message is made even more emphatic and credible.

       Furthermore, St. Paul in the First Reading reminds us that “we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.” We cannot claim anything as though it was our own effort.

       Notice again Jesus’ words in the Gospel: “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”

       We need to exert effort in order to collaborate with and fulfill God’s will for us. But over and above this human effort, there is that certain gratuitousness on the part of God. The mother and sons of Zebedee learned the lesson the hard way. May they, in turn, most especially St. James, accompany us in our learning journey. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTION: What lessons have you learned in your spiritual journey, particularly in following and obeying God’s will for you and in serving others?

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of saints in Your Church. I pray that their lives will serve as inspiration to Your people.