St James - Apostle

James, the brother of John, is one of the first of the Apostles to be called.  With Peter and John he joins Jesus on Mt Tabor to witness the Transfiguration.  James joins Jesus when the daughter of Jairus is raised to life and in the Garden at Gethsemane.  James was in that inner circle of the Apostles.  Tradition has it that James went to Spain shortly after Pentecost, and was martyred on his return to Jerusalem.  The first of the Apostles to share in the "Cup of suffering."

Our Church is planted and nurtured by the proclamation and confession of the Apostles.  Being that Jesus did not leave a theology tract or a litany of law, the early Church had to rely of what they received from Jesus and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  While some might consider the Vatican Council to be the ruin of the Church, the profound and even radical nature of the documents, reminds us that the Church still considers the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ to be relevant and necessary for our faith, and the salvation of the world.  The apostolic mind-set is to use the gifts that have been given to us to make bold proclamations of the Kingdom in the world.

Too often we can perceive our life as Church akin to the 'Dunkin Doughnut'  man, whose life is simply about making the doughnuts.  The martyrdom of St James, and all of the Apostles for that matter, is because their words and life were counter-cultural.  The Apostles show us what it means to be real servant leaders.  In an early part of the Letter of James, St James place the dilemma of a needy man at the side of the road before us.  James poses the question what good would be done if we walked by and stated, "Stay warm and well fed."  From today's Gospel we are reminded that "Anyone who wants to ranks first among you must serve the needs of all."

Christians are told today that we should stay in our churches and pray.  The Apostles would disagree.  We who profess faith in Jesus, through sacrament and word, are asked to bring peace and healing into the lives of others when we perform acts of charity, stand our moral ground, and challenge the Evil and Sinfulness we discover around us.  Our lifestyle that responds with dignity and respect to the various dilemmas and crisis' around us, in itself becomes a witness of faith.

Through the intercession of St. James, and all of the Communion of Saints, we ask for the same courage and strength to perform the works of the Church.  With the holy men and women of the past we share in the cup of salvation and bread of life; making bold proclamations of faith.