Word to the Wise
Thursday, July 25, 2019 - July 25 - St. James, Apostle
[2 Cor 4:7-15 and Matt 20:20-28]"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority 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." [Matthew]
Tradition has it that St. James (the Greater, to distinguish him from another apostle, James, son of Alpheus) wound up in Spain at Compostela. Thousands of pilgrims walk the path to venerate his remains. It's quite a tribute to this apostle who, along with his brother, tried to get a special place in Jesus' kingdom. Jesus' words in today's gospel reminded James and John (and their mother) and all the other apostles then and now that the kingdom of God is not a political kingdom and the only power is the power to serve and not to rule. Some of the darkest pages in the history of the Church show that Jesus' words are sometimes forgotten.
The very word "apostle" means to be sent on a mission. Our church is founded on the mission of the apostles to preach the Good News, but the mission did not stop with those Twelve. It is continued in every baptized person. The bishops are "successors" of the apostles, but they are not the only missionaries. They are a sign of unity and continuity. Pope Francis is leading the way to restore this sense of service throughout the church by all those who are desiring to serve the people of God. St. James can remind us that this service may take us far and wide or maybe to Spain or next door in our neighborhood. AMEN