St James the Apostle

About a year ago I had read a book by a gentleman, James Hunter, simply entitled, Servant.  Mr. Hunter is an executive at a large company, and wrote the book for other business leaders.  The text relates his experience at a leadership retreat, held at a catholic retreat house.  During this time he learned that real leadership comes not from commanding people as much as connecting with their needs and concerns.

In today's Gospel the mother of James and John requests that Jesus allows her sons the places of honor in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Jesus explains to 'Mrs. Zebedee,' and her sons, that to follow him necessitates the ability to "share the cup of suffering and death."  Discipleship is not about laying down like a doormat, by engaging in the needs and concerns of others.  James seems to have eventually understood this since in his letter he insists that it is not enough to wish the poor, suffering, and sick, well being and good luck, but we respond to their needs and concerns.  Our service is making oneself available to the other.  Often at our own expense.

St. James is one of the first apostles martyred for his discipleship.  While we are not chased around by people with sharp pointy sticks, our Church stand for justice and peace, our insistence of respecting the dignity of life, is not always well received.   The goal of our discipleship is exposing the Kingdom of God.  Like the apostles we do so all the while we are conveying what we have seen and heard of the ministry of Jesus Christ.

We celebrate and participate in the Paschal Mystery by means of a self-less love.  Think of moms and dads who check soiled diapers, or spend Friday evening eating fish sticks with the kids, as opposed to pan seared tuna on a rice pilaf,  because there is something larger at stake.  Our dying to our wants and needs, putting ourselves out, and living outside of our comfort zone, draws us into the mystery we celebrate, while being a witness to the faith we celebrate

Discipleship invites us to a counter-cultural lifestyle.  The agape love we celebrate at Mass is a springboard to our own servant leadership.  "Whoever wants to rank as first among you must serve the needs of all."  (Mt 20: 26-27)