Feast of Saint James, Apostle
Matthew 20:20–28
At the beginning of the Gospel, James and John leave behind their father, their boat, and the family business.
They follow Jesus.
But Matthew tells us that their mother also appears on the journey.
And it is she who makes the famous request:
“Command that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom.”
It is a mother’s request.
Perhaps ambitious.
Perhaps loving.
Perhaps both.
She wants greatness for her sons.
She wants honour.
She wants them to be close to Jesus when His Kingdom comes.
But the timing is striking.
Just before this, Jesus has spoken for the third time about His coming passion.
He will be handed over.
He will be condemned.
He will be mocked, scourged, and crucified.
And on the third day, He will rise.
Jesus speaks about the cross.
They think about places of honour.
Jesus speaks about suffering love.
They think about promotion.
They do not yet understand what kind of Kingdom Jesus is bringing.
So Jesus asks them:
“Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?”
They answer quickly:
“We can.”
They do not yet know what they are saying.
The cup of Jesus is not the cup of privilege.
It is the cup of obedience, service, suffering, and self-giving love.
James and John ask to sit at His right and at His left.
But when Jesus is lifted up on the cross, those places are not occupied by James and John.
They are occupied by two men condemned by Rome for fighting for freedom.
This is the throne of the Kingdom.
This is where the glory of Jesus is revealed.
Not in domination.
Not in worldly power.
Not in crushing others.
But in giving His life as a ransom for many.
Everything changes after the Resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
James, who once wanted glory, becomes the first among the Twelve to give his life for Christ.
John, according to tradition, labours until old age, bearing witness to the Gospel.
Their desire for greatness is transformed.
The rulers of this world make their power felt.
They dominate.
They command.
They place themselves above others.
But among you, Jesus says, it must not be so.
Whoever wishes to be great must become a servant.
Whoever wishes to be first must become a slave.
The two apostles teach us that discipleship can begin with mixed motives.
We may follow Jesus and still misunderstand Him.
We may love Him and still desire honour.
We may ask for glory without knowing that glory passes through the cross.
And so we learn to set aside ambition for service,
honour for sacrifice,
the dream of a throne for the gift of a life.
Saint James, Apostle, pray for us.
Teach us to drink the cup of Christ.
Teach us to seek greatness in service to others.
Biblical Reflections on the Gospel of Matthew
Scripture Attribution
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993
the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of
Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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