Celebrating the feast of St James

 

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint James, the apostle. The feast of an apostle is always very special because they were directly called by Jesus to share with him in his mission of preaching the good news of his kingdom. Matthew tells us how after calling Peter and Andrew, he saw James and John in the boat with their father washing their nets. He called them and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.(Matthew 4:21-22). James was with Jesus when he brought the 12 year old girl back to life and was one of the three along with Peter and John who witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus. In the first reading today, Paul reminds us saying that we hold the treasure of Jesus in clay jars, and in the gospel we see how even James and John did not fully understand the message of Jesus when their mother asked that they be given positions of power in his kingdom ( Matthew 20:20-28) However in chapter 10 of Mark's gospel, it is James and John themselves who make the request, causing anger among the other apostles. Jesus calls them together and reminds them that they are called to be servants, even slaves, giving their lives, like Jesus himself, to rescue many people. All the apostles were men, but Luke tells us at the begining of chapter 8 that as he went travelling through cities and villages proclaiming the good news of the kingdom he was accompanied, not only by the twelve but also by some women who are named; Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna and many others. Thank you, Lord, for you have called us, men and women, to be your disciples just as you called James. He gave his life for you. Help us to overcome our weaknesses so that we too can follow you as James did.