Word to the Wise
Friday, July 25, 2025 - July 25 - St. James, Apostle
[2 Cor 4:7-15 and Matt 20:20-28]We hold this treasure in earthenware vessels that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. [2 Cor.] 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." [Matt.]
It remains a secret why Jesus chose the various characters who made up the initial group of the apostles. But Peter, James and John seem to have enjoyed a particularly close relationship to him, perhaps because they were among the first ones Jesus called. He must have known the mother of James and John as well! We don't know if she approached Jesus on her own initiative or if her two sons put her up to it. Middle Eastern customs about influence and status come into play here. Jesus' ultimate reply to her request provides an opportunity to tell all the apostles about the dangers of power and what his "kingdom" really is. One wonders if the "indignation" of the other ten is due to the "end run" attempted by James and John.
Jesus calls all twelve together and warns them about the dangers of power. He has come to serve and not to BE served. If history is any indication, Jesus' little talk has needed to be repeated from time to time to the "successors of the apostles" - the hierarchy of the church - over the centuries. At least I can say that the bishops I have known personally over the years have been well aware of the dangers of apostolic power! Like all of us, they are earthenware vessels, but with especially important roles to play in preaching the gospel.
We don't know much about James, the son of Zebedee, after Jesus' death and resurrection except the tradition that he made his way to Spain and is buried there. Devoted pilgrims make the long pilgrimage known as "the camino" across northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela to pray at the site believed to be his burial place. His Mama may not have succeeded in her request, but her son, James (the Greater) still has a lot of influence! AMEN