St. James Major, Apsotle & Martyr

Matthew 10:16-32

Saturday, July 25, is the feast day of the Apostle James, often referred to as “Major” to distinguish him from the other James among the Twelve, the “son of Alphaeus,” who is known as “James the Minor.” Of course, they were both members of the Twelve, both called by Jesus to a special position of leadership in his Church. But it is also clear from the Gospel that Peter, and James and John the sons of Zebedee, held a special place among the Twelve. All three were present with Jesus at his raising of Jairus’s daughter, his Transfiguration, and at Gethsemane.

Jesus nicknamed James and John, “Boanerges,” literally, “Sons of Thunder.” And they earned that nickname. Perhaps it was that zeal that led to James’s beheading by King Herod, described in Acts. As he went to his death, I’m sure that James remembered what he and John had asked of Jesus. They had asked to sit at Jesus’s right and left when he came in “glory.” What Jesus promised was that they would share his cup and baptism, in other words, his death. I believe that as he went to his death, James understood that he actually was sharing in Jesus’s glory.

The Rembrandt portrait to the left shows James at prayer, before he is to die, and knowing that no thunderous strength of his will save him. But that James, perhaps, learned humility does not negate his passion for Jesus’s message. The Church needs both. We need people who are bold and courageous in standing up for Jesus in a hostile world. We also need those whose gifts tend more toward reflection and contemplation, which will help guide the aim of those who fling their lightning bolts at the forces of evil. May our Church never be bereft of both gifts.

“O gracious God, we remember before you today your servant and apostle James, first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the Name of Jesus Christ; and we pray that you will pour out upon the leaders of your Church that spirit of self-denying service by which alone they may have true authority among your people; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”