Posted by The WORD in other words (2019) by Father Glenn Paul Gomez SVD – Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City
Feast of Saint James, Apostle – July 25
Today we celebrate the feast of St. James the Elder, brother of John and son of Zebedee and Salome. Together, James and John were nicknamed by Jesus Boanerges—“Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17)—because of their fiery temper. At one point, they even suggested calling down fire from heaven to consume a Samaritan town that refused them passage (Luke 9:54).
James became the first apostle to be martyred (Acts 12:2) and is honored as the patron saint of Spain, where devotion to him remains strong, especially through the famous pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago.
In today’s Gospel, Salome approached Jesus asking that her two sons sit at His right and left in the Kingdom (Matthew 20:20–21). Jesus reminded her that such authority was not His to grant. When the other apostles heard this, they became indignant.
Knowing their hearts, Jesus taught them: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority felt. But it shall not be so among you. Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave” (Matthew 20:25–27).
Like the apostles, we too may desire places of honor beside Christ. Yet today’s feast reminds us to free our hearts from entitlement. True greatness in God’s Kingdom is measured not by power or privilege, but by service and sacrifice. “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
St. James reminds us that discipleship is costly—it may demand sacrifice, humility, and even martyrdom. But it also brings the joy of serving Christ and His people. Let us ask ourselves: Am I willing to serve, rather than be served, and to follow Christ even when the path is difficult?
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