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St. James, Apostle
2 Cor 4:7-152
Mt 20:20-28

Today’s first reading applies St. Paul’s description of himself and his co-workers as earthen vessels to James– son of Zebedee and Salome, brother of John, apostle of Jesus Christ.  In contrast to others on the list of apostles, we know quite a bit about James. He worked in the family fishing business.  Along with brother John and fishing partners Peter and Andrew, he was among the first disciples called by Jesus. With Peter and John, he constituted a special group among the chosen twelve—special, but not flawless. The three were privileged to witness Jesus’ Transfiguration and to be invited to keep Him company in the Garden of Gethsemane.  On the first occasion, they were, understandably and appropriately, overcome with fear and awe.  On the second, they slept as Jesus agonized.

James and John apparently shared some of the impetuosity for which Peter is noted.  Jesus nicknamed them “Sons of Thunder.”  On one occasion we hear Him reprimanding them for their over-eagerness to call down fire from heaven to destroy an unwelcoming town (Lk 9:55). They were also ambitious.

Interestingly, the Gospel chosen for the feast of St. James presents him in an unflattering light. We can easily picture the little delegation approaching Jesus: Salome in front, her sons behind her, waiting eagerly while she makes her proposal.  Undoubtedly, she is ready to give solid reasons why her boys deserve the highest honors.  Obviously, all three misunderstand the nature of the Kingdom, as do the other ten angry disciples.  Jesus sets them all straight.  To be great in his eyes is not a matter of prestige and power.  Greatness consists in serving others, even to the point of dying for them.

Nevertheless, Jesus’ initial response to Salome’s request has been gentle.  He accepts the sincerity of the brothers’ “we can” in answer to his question about drinking the cup of suffering.  In fact, He assures them, “Yes, you will.”  The Acts of the Apostles (12:2) relates that James was beheaded on orders of Herod Agrippa, who ruled Judea from 41 to 44 A.D. He drained the cup.

In the end, the stories of the apostles’ weaknesses and character flaws are encouraging to us.  What matters is not how many times we fail or come short but how ready we are to accept instruction, start over, and continue to follow Jesus on the road of Cross and Resurrection. We too are earthen vessels.

Sister Mary O’Brien is a member of the Passionist Sisters’ community in Union City, NJ.

Related articles

• Saints Philip and James, Apostles (thepassionists.org)
• Do Not Let Your Hearts be Troubled (thepassionists.org)
• Saint Matthias, Apostle and Martyr (thepassionists.org)