Bible Diary

Daily Reading

Feast of Saint James, Apostle

LECTIONARY
605

FIRST READING

2 COR 4:7-15

Brothers and sisters:
We hold this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.
We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.
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.

So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith,
according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke,
we too believe and therefore speak,
knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus
will raise us also with Jesus
and place us with you in his presence.
Everything indeed is for you,
so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people
may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.

PSALM

PS 126:1BC-2AB, 2CD-3, 4-5, 6

Response: Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.

Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.

Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.

GOSPEL

MT 20:20-28

The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons
and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.
He said to her,
“What do you wish?”
She answered him,
“Command that these two sons of mine sit,
one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.”
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 replied,
“My chalice you will indeed drink,
but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
When the ten heard this,
they became indignant at the two brothers.
But Jesus summoned them and said,
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and the great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Daily Reflection

The Apostle we honour today is referred to as ‘James the Greater’, to distinguish him from the other ‘James the Less’; titles based on their differences in height and not importance!

James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother, John the Evangelist were called to discipleship while they were still in their boat. They were present at some of the most memorable events of Jesus’ public life: at the Transfiguration and in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Acts of the Apostles tells us James was beheaded at Jerusalem by order of King Herod Agrippa, making him the first apostle to be martyred.

In today's Gospel, the mother of James and John makes a fleeting appearance to request that her sons be given prominence in Jesus’ kingdom! She is a mother like any other, wanting the best for her children. Jesus uses this opportunity to bring home to the disciples that to be true followers they must ‘drink of the cup’ and ‘be servants of all’.

This message is a reminder of what we sign up for when we profess our discipleship.