St James, Apostle

James is called great or greater probably because he was one of the original apostles called by our Lord, he witnessed some private events in the life of Christ, extended Christ’s mission to Europe and became the first apostle to die for the sake of Christ.

St. James the Great was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. Also called James the Elder, he was the first apostle to become a martyr and the only one whose martyrdom was recorded in the New Testament. Son of Zebedee and Salome and brother of John the Apostle,

Christ distinguished Peter, James and John by many special favours above the rest of the apostles. James, John, and Peter were present during the raising of Jairus’s daughter (Mk 5:37; Lk 8:51),
They alone were admitted to be spectators first of his glorious transfiguration, Mk 9:1; Matt 17:1; Lk 9:28), and afterward of his agony and bloody sweat in the garden of Gethsemane. Matt 26:37; Mk 14:33),
St James continued to preach for 14 years following the death of Jesus in AD 30. He preached in Samaria and Judea, where he met his death under King Herod Agrippa

In today’s gospel, we see the mother of James and John making a request before Jesus. She wanted to be blessed, to wear a crown and she made deals with the Lord—how could she not have caused the Lord to detest her when her faith in Him carried such motives?
When we reflect on our actions and behaviors over the past few years and compare them with these words, we find that we are indeed just the same as the mother of James and John.

We always believe that our expectations and our requests of the Lord are all right and proper, that there is nothing about them that could be at odds with God’s will. We must come to God with a genuine and humble heart.

The only way you can enter into the New Covenant and friendship of Christ just like St. James is through repentance and humility. We have a perfect mediator who will not cease praying for us. And because of that, you are secure in his love. Empty yourself for God to fill you up. He brought a better covenant which is unbreakable. Rejoice with the saints in this.

Stay safe and God bless.

Osho

Credit:
This article is written by Rev Fr. Joseph Osho OSJ. Please visit his personal blog @ https://www.blogger.com/profile/10377666931103644634
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