Feast of Saint James, Apostle

There is a lot of spiritual movement in today’s readings. An ambitious mother. (Can my sons reign with you in the kingdom and get the seats of honor?) a challenging Rabbi (can you drink the cup with me?), self-confident sons (yes, we can), jealous or indignant peers (How dare they?)

Did Jesus have a flashback to the voice of his mother? (They have no wine.) Don’t mothers often perceive the potential of their children early on? Dream for their coming mission? We are left with the lingering question: the mission has a price; what will it be?

In the first reading, Saint Paul describes what that cup consists of to be afflicted but not crushed, full of doubts but never despairing, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but never destroyed, physically weakened but inwardly dynamized – insight into the faith dimension of life, weighing what is unseen against what is seen: the life of Christ in us.

Did the mother of James and John understand what she was asking? Did they know themselves? Do we?

Prayer:

Almighty, ever-living God who consecrated the first fruits of your Apostles in the blood of Saint James, grant we pray that your Church may be strengthened by his protection through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son. (Prayer of the day)