St. James the greater

2 corinthians 4:7-15; Ps 126 Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing; Matthew 20:20-28

As we celebrate the feast of St. James, the gospel invites us to reflect on his mother. "The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something."


What an image to think about! A mother brings her sons to Jesus with a wish, a request.

How many mothers have followed in her footsteps? How many mothers have come before Jesus through the centuries, bringing their Children and asking that He provide for them, strengthen them, guide them.

Even as I write this, i wonder how many mothers and fathers have already been on their knees praying for their children.

"HE said to her, "'what do you wish?" She answered him, "command that these two sons of mine sit on at your right and the other on your left, in your Kingdom."


What a wish? I only hope my mother, for I know she prays for me, ask the Lord of the same thing. Why settle for less? If you are going to ask, ask boldly!

"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 said, "My chalice you will in deed drink, but to sit on my right and my left this is not mine to give but it is for those whom it has been prepared by my Father."

What a beautiful response. Jesus simply offers them the opportunity to share his chalice. They do not drink alone. JEsus himself shall drink it with them.

IS this not ultimately what the mother seeks, that Jesus not abandon her sons. To share his cup is truly a blessed gift.

Yet, Jesus doesn't make empty promises. He can not give the right and left for they belong to another to give, his Father.

Jesus gives what belongs to him, the gift of sharing in his chalice, his life, his experience; the gift of being a companion on the journey of glory.


It is because he offers to share it with them, makes it even more attractive and prompts them to respond with such eagerness, "We can."

As we read in the first reading, "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 share with him his suffering so that his life might be revealed through us. This is what communion is about, "take this all of you and drink from it..." We drink his death and experience his life.

James the greater was the first apostle to be martyred. In his suffering and approaching death, i always imagine him with a smile on his face on his lips the words of JEsus in this gospel, "my chalice you will in deed drink."