Feast of Saint James, Apostle
Lectionary: 605
Lectionary: 605
Brothers and sisters:
We hold this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.
We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.
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.
We hold this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.
We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.
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.
So death is at work in us, but life in
you.
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,
knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus
will raise us also with Jesus
and place us with you in his presence.
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.
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,
knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus
will raise us also with Jesus
and place us with you in his presence.
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.
Responsorial
Psalm126:1BC-2AB, 2CD-3, 4-5, 6
R. (5) Those who sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
AlleluiaSEE JN 15:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 20:20-28
The mother of the sons of Zebedee
approached Jesus with her sons
and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.
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.”
Jesus said in reply,
“You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”
They said to him, “We can.”
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.”
When the ten heard this,
they became indignant at the two brothers.
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.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
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.”
and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.
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.”
Jesus said in reply,
“You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?”
They said to him, “We can.”
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.”
When the ten heard this,
they became indignant at the two brothers.
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.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
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.”
Meditation: Not
to Be Served but to Serve
Who
doesn't want to be first, and to be esteemed and honored by others? We
seem to have an unquenchable thirst for recognition and fame, power and
authority to rule our own lives as we please as well as the lives of others. Should
we be surprised to see the disciples of Jesus thirsting for power, position,
and authority? James and John, the sons of Zebedee, urged their mother to
strike a deal with Jesus, their Master and Messiah. They wanted the distinction
of being first and most important in position, next to Jesus, of course!
Jesus turns authority and power upside down
When Jesus called the twelve apostles to be his inner circle of disciples who would teach and exercise spiritual authority on his behalf, he did the unthinkable! Jesus taught contrary to the world's understanding of power, authority, and position, by reversing the order of master and servant, lord and subject, first and last! Jesus wedded authority with love, position with sacrifice, and service with humility. Authority without love is over-bearing and slavish. Position without respect and concern for the subordinate is demeaning and rude. And service without generosity and sacrifice is cheap and unkind.
Those who wish to serve with the Lord Jesus and to exercise authority in God's kingdom must be prepared to sacrifice - not just some of their time, money, and resources - but their whole lives and all that they possess! Jesus used stark language to explain what kind of sacrifice he had in mind. His disciples must drink his cup if they expect to reign with him in his kingdom. The cup he had in mind was a bitter one involving crucifixion. What kind of cup does the Lord have in mind for us? For some disciples such a cup entails physical suffering and the painful struggle of martyrdom. But for many, it entails the long routine of the Christian life, with all its daily sacrifices, disappointments, set-backs, struggles, and temptations.
Christ's way of love and service
A disciple of Jesus must be ready to lay down his or her life - each and every day in the little and big sacrifices required - and even to the point of shedding one's blood if necessary for the sake of Christ and his Gospel. What makes such sacrifice a joy rather than a burden? It is love - the kind of "love which God has poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). An early church father summed up Jesus' teaching with the expression: "to serve is to reign with Christ." We share in God's reign by laying down our lives in humble service and love for one another, just as Jesus did for our sake. Are you ready to lay down your life and to serve others as Jesus has taught and modeled for us?
Jesus turns authority and power upside down
When Jesus called the twelve apostles to be his inner circle of disciples who would teach and exercise spiritual authority on his behalf, he did the unthinkable! Jesus taught contrary to the world's understanding of power, authority, and position, by reversing the order of master and servant, lord and subject, first and last! Jesus wedded authority with love, position with sacrifice, and service with humility. Authority without love is over-bearing and slavish. Position without respect and concern for the subordinate is demeaning and rude. And service without generosity and sacrifice is cheap and unkind.
Those who wish to serve with the Lord Jesus and to exercise authority in God's kingdom must be prepared to sacrifice - not just some of their time, money, and resources - but their whole lives and all that they possess! Jesus used stark language to explain what kind of sacrifice he had in mind. His disciples must drink his cup if they expect to reign with him in his kingdom. The cup he had in mind was a bitter one involving crucifixion. What kind of cup does the Lord have in mind for us? For some disciples such a cup entails physical suffering and the painful struggle of martyrdom. But for many, it entails the long routine of the Christian life, with all its daily sacrifices, disappointments, set-backs, struggles, and temptations.
Christ's way of love and service
A disciple of Jesus must be ready to lay down his or her life - each and every day in the little and big sacrifices required - and even to the point of shedding one's blood if necessary for the sake of Christ and his Gospel. What makes such sacrifice a joy rather than a burden? It is love - the kind of "love which God has poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). An early church father summed up Jesus' teaching with the expression: "to serve is to reign with Christ." We share in God's reign by laying down our lives in humble service and love for one another, just as Jesus did for our sake. Are you ready to lay down your life and to serve others as Jesus has taught and modeled for us?
Lord
Jesus, make me a servant of love for your kingdom, that I may seek to serve
rather than be served. Inflame my heart with love that I may give generously
and serve joyfully for your sake.
Daily
Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Not to be served but to serve, by
John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)
"[Jesus]
says, 'The Son of man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life
as a ransom for many.' It is as if he were saying, 'I willed not even to stop
at death but even in death gave my life as a ransom. For whom? For enemies. For
you. If you are abused, my life is given for you. It is for you. Me for you.'
So you need not be too picky if you suffer the loss of your honor. No matter
how much it is lowered, you will not be descending as far as your Lord
descended. And yet the deep descent of one has become the ascent of all. His
glory shines forth from these very depths. For before he was made man, he was
known among the angels only. But after he was made man and was crucified, so
far from lessening that glory, he acquired further glory besides, even that
from his personal knowledge of the world."
"So fear not then, as though your honor were put down. Rather, be ready to abase yourself. For in this way your glory is exalted even more, and in this way it becomes greater. This is the door of the kingdom. Let us not then go the opposite way. Let us not war against ourselves. For if we desire to appear great, we shall not be great but even the most dishonored of all. Do you see how everywhere Jesus encourages them by turning things upside down? He gives them what they desire but in ways they did not expect. (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 65.4.25)
"So fear not then, as though your honor were put down. Rather, be ready to abase yourself. For in this way your glory is exalted even more, and in this way it becomes greater. This is the door of the kingdom. Let us not then go the opposite way. Let us not war against ourselves. For if we desire to appear great, we shall not be great but even the most dishonored of all. Do you see how everywhere Jesus encourages them by turning things upside down? He gives them what they desire but in ways they did not expect. (excerpt from THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 65.4.25)
FEAST OF SAINT JAMES, APOSTLE
SATURDAY, JULY 25, MATTHEW 20:20-28
(2 Corinthians 4:7-15; Psalm 126)
SATURDAY, JULY 25, MATTHEW 20:20-28
(2 Corinthians 4:7-15; Psalm 126)
KEY VERSE: "Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant" (v. 26).
TO KNOW: For the third time in Matthew's gospel, Jesus taught his disciples about his coming passion and death; yet they still did not comprehend the reality of his words. A woman approached Jesus with the request that her sons, James and John, receive special honor in his kingdom. Her misconception was that Jesus' reign was an earthly rule with temporal authority. The other disciples were indignant over this (did they wish that they had thought of it first?). Jesus reminded them that the way to the kingdom was not the path to glory. Being a disciple meant humble submission to the will of God. Jesus did not come to be served, but to offer his life as a ransom for those who were held captive to sin. James would share Jesus' suffering. He was the first apostle to be martyred. The Book of Acts reports that King Herod Agrippa "had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword," (Acts 12:2)
TO LOVE: Do I hand on the faith that I have received, just as the apostles did in their time?
TO SERVE: St. James, pray for me that I might courageously serve Christ as you did.
FEAST OF
SAINT JAMES, APOSTLE
Jesus nicknamed James and his younger brother John, the sons of Zebedee, Boanerges, meaning "sons of thunder" (Mk 3:17). They were natives of Galilee and fishermen when Jesus called them to follow him. James, John and Peter belonged to what seems to have been an inner circle of three. They were privileged witnesses when Jesus cured Peter's mother-in-law; at the raising of Jairus' daughter; at the Transfiguration; and at Jesus' agony in the garden. James was "killed with the sword," probably beheaded by the order of King Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1-2). Most modern scholars hold that James was not the author of the epistle by that name. Among the reasons cited is that that the author does not identify himself as an Apostle. Another reason is the elegant Greek literary style used, which is unlikely that of a Galilean peasant.
Saturday 25 July 2020
St James
2 Corinthians 4:7-15. Those who sow in tears, shall reap with
shouts of joy – Psalm 125(126). Matthew 20:20-28.
‘Anyone who wants to be great among you must be a servant.’
Loving Father, we thank you for the community of disciples of
Jesus, your Son. From James and the other apostles down to the present time you
unite us in one faith, renew us in a common hope, build us into one people
through love. May our lives openly show the power of Jesus’ resurrection. May
we find encouragement and give it within the church, so that the Gospel may be
heard and received, and grace and peace be established in our world.
We thank you for the great men and women, like James, who have
been part of our Christian story.
Despite failings and doubts, they remained faithful. May we,
too, serve your kingdom after the pattern of Jesus, who gave his life for the
world.
Saint James the Apostle
Saint of the Day for July 25
(d. 44)
Saint James the Apostle’s Story
This James is the brother of John the Evangelist. The two were
called by Jesus as they worked with their father in a fishing boat on the Sea
of Galilee. Jesus had already called another pair of brothers from a similar
occupation: Peter and Andrew. “He walked along a little farther and saw James,
the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their
nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along
with the hired men and followed him” (Mark 1:19-20).
James was one of the favored three who had the privilege of
witnessing the Transfiguration, the raising to life of the daughter of Jairus,
and the agony in Gethsemani.
Two incidents in the Gospels describe the temperament of this
man and his brother. Saint Matthew tells that their mother came—Mark says
it was the brothers themselves—to ask that they have the seats of honor in the
kingdom. “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’” (Matthew
20:22). Jesus then told them they would indeed drink the cup and share his
baptism of pain and death, but that sitting at his right hand or left was not
his to give—it “is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father”
(Matthew 20:23b). It remained to be seen how long it would take to realize the
implications of their confident “We can!”
The other disciples became indignant at the ambition of James
and John. Then Jesus taught them all the lesson of humble service: The purpose
of authority is to serve. They are not to impose their will on others, or lord
it over them. This is the position of Jesus himself. He was the servant of all;
the service imposed on him was the supreme sacrifice of his own life.
On another occasion, James and John gave evidence that the
nickname Jesus gave them—“sons of thunder”—was an apt one. The Samaritans would
not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to hated Jerusalem. “When the
disciples James and John saw this they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call
down fire from heaven to consume them?’ Jesus turned and rebuked them…” (Luke
9:54-55).
James was apparently the first of the apostles to be martyred.
“About that time King Herod laid hands upon some members of the church to harm
them. He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword, and when he saw
that this was pleasing to the Jews he proceeded to arrest Peter also” (Acts
12:1-3a).
This James, sometimes called James the Greater, is not to be
confused with James the Lesser or with the author of the Letter of
James and the leader of the Jerusalem community.
Reflection
The way the Gospels treat the apostles is a good reminder of
what holiness is all about. There is very little about their virtues as static
possessions, entitling them to heavenly reward. Rather, the great emphasis is
on the Kingdom, on God’s giving them the power to proclaim the Good News. As
far as their personal lives are concerned, there is much about Jesus’ purifying
them of narrowness, pettiness, fickleness.
Saint James the Apostle is the Patron Saint of:
Chile
Laborers
Nicaragua
Rheumatism
Spain
Laborers
Nicaragua
Rheumatism
Spain
Lectio Divina: Saint James, apostle
Lectio Divina
Saturday, July 25, 2020
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Lord,
be merciful to Your people.
Fill us with Your gifts
and make us always eager to serve You
in faith, hope and love.
You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
be merciful to Your people.
Fill us with Your gifts
and make us always eager to serve You
in faith, hope and love.
You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 20:20-28
The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons
and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something. 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." Jesus said in reply, "You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?" They said to him,
"We can." 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." When the ten heard this, they
became indignant at the two brothers. 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. But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever
wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. 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."
3) Reflection
• Jesus and the disciples are on the way to Jerusalem (Mt
20:17). Jesus knows that He will be killed (Mt 20:8). The Prophet Isaiah had
already announced it (Is 50:4-6; 53:1-10). His death will not be the fruit of
blind destiny or of a pre-established plan, but it will be the consequence of
the commitment freely made of being faithful to the mission which He received
from the Father together with the poor of the earth. Jesus had already said
that the disciple has to follow the Master and carry his cross behind him (Mt
16:21,24). But the disciples did not understand what was happening (Mt
16:22-23; 17:23). Suffering and the cross did not correspond to the idea that
they had of the Messiah.
• Matthew 20:20-21: The petition of the mother of the sons of
Zebedee. The disciples do not only not understand, but they continue to
think about their personal ambitions. The mother of the sons of Zebedee, the
spokesperson for her sons John and James, gets close to Jesus to ask for a
favor: “Promise that these two sons of mine may sit one at Your right hand and
the other at Your left in Your Kingdom.”
They had not understood Jesus’ proposal. They were
concerned only about their own interests. This shows clearly the tensions in
the communities, both at the time of Jesus and of Matthew, as we also see in
our own communities.
• Matthew 20:22-23: Jesus’ response. Jesus reacts firmly. He
responds to the sons and not to the mother: “You do not know what you are
asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?” It is a question of
the chalice of suffering. Jesus wants to know if they, instead of taking places
of honor, are willing to give their own life up to death. Both reply, “We can!”
This was a sincere response and Jesus confirms it: “You shall drink My cup.” At
the same time, it seems to be a hasty response, because a few days later, they
abandon Jesus and leave Him alone in His hour of suffering (Mt 26:51). They do
not have a strong critical conscience, and they are not even aware of their own
personal reality. Jesus then completes the statement, saying, “But it is not
Mine to grant that you sit at My right hand and My left, these seats belong to
those to whom they have been allotted by My Father.” What Jesus can offer is
the chalice of the suffering of the cross.
• Matthew 20:24-27: “Among you this is not to happen.” “When the
other ten heard this, they were indignant with the two brothers.” The request
made by the mother in the name of her sons causes a heated discussion in the
group. Jesus calls the disciples and speaks to them about the exercise of
power: “The rulers of nations, you know, dominate over them and the great
exercise their power over them. Among you this is not to happen: anyone who
wants to become great among you must be your servant and anyone who wants to be
first among you must be your slave.” At that time, those who held power had no
concern for the people. They acted according to their own interests (cf. Mk
14:3-12). The Roman Empire controlled the world, subduing it with the force of
arms and, in this way, through taxes, customs, etc. succeeded in accumulating
riches through repression and the abuse of power. Jesus had another response.
He teaches against privileges and against rivalry. He overthrows the system and
insists on the attitude of service, which is the remedy for personal ambition.
The community has to prepare an alternative. When the Roman Empire
disintegrates, victim of its own internal contradictions, the communities
should be prepared to offer to the people an alternative model of living
together.
• Matthew 20:28: The summary of the life of Jesus. Jesus defines
His life and His mission: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,
and to give His life as a ransom for many.” In this definition of self given by
Jesus are implied three titles which define Him and which were for the first
Christians the beginning of Christology: Son of Man, Servant of Yahweh and
older brother (close relative). Jesus is the Messiah, Servant, announced by the
prophet Isaiah (cf. Isa 42:1-9; 49:1-6; 50:4-9; 52:13-53). He learned from His
mother, who said, “Behold the servant of the Lord!” (Lk 1:38). This was a
totally new proposal for the society of that time.
4) Personal questions
• James and John ask for favors. Jesus promises suffering. What
do I seek in my relationship with God and what do I ask for in prayer? How do I
accept the suffering that comes in my life and which is the opposite of what we
ask in prayer?
• Jesus says, “May it not be like that among you!” Is our way of living in the Church and in the community in accord with Jesus’ advice?
• “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant.” In this world, as a boss, supervisor, department head, CEO, manager, or customer, how does “being great” differ from this? Is it possible to be great as Jesus asks and be great as the world understands it?
• Jesus says, “May it not be like that among you!” Is our way of living in the Church and in the community in accord with Jesus’ advice?
• “Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant.” In this world, as a boss, supervisor, department head, CEO, manager, or customer, how does “being great” differ from this? Is it possible to be great as Jesus asks and be great as the world understands it?
5) Concluding Prayer
Then the nations kept saying,
“What great deeds Yahweh has done for them!”
Yes, Yahweh did great deeds for us,
and we were overjoyed. (Ps 126:2-3)
“What great deeds Yahweh has done for them!”
Yes, Yahweh did great deeds for us,
and we were overjoyed. (Ps 126:2-3)
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