Saturday, March 21st

The Apostle James, whose feast day we celebrate today, is often overlooked in my opinion, which is unfortunate because he was in Jesus’ inner circle. Scripture tells us that he was present at the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29) and at the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51). He and his brother John were in private conversation with Jesus on the Mount of Olives (Mark 13: 3). A key event in Jesus’ life, the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9: 28-36), has James there! And the night before Jesus’ passion in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:33) we see James with Jesus apart from the others. As we see, he had an intimate relationship with the Lord.

Saint James is also traditionally believed to be the first of the twelve apostles martyred for his faith, making his martyrdom the only one recorded in the New Testament (Acts 12:1-2). This is a reminder that we are called to die to ourselves daily by surrendering our wills and egos to God in our pursuit of sobriety. Saint James reminds us of our need to be intimate with our Lord Jesus by spending time with him in regular prayer so that, like Saint James, we too may have the strength to be a sign of God’s love to others on our recovery and faith journey.

Reflection Questions

• Where in your recovery have you felt Jesus manifested in your life the most? How can you foster Jesus’ presence in your life more today?
• What is it about Saint James that inspires you? Pray today for his intercession as you continue on your recovery and faith journey.

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6
Gospel: Matthew 20:20-28

Reflection by Aaron W.

(d.44) — Saint James the Greater, aka the Elder, the son of Zebedee and Salome, brother of John, Son of Thunder, was possibly a cousin of Jesus and definitely a disciple of John the Baptist. He was a professional fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, and part of a special group (along with his brother, John, and Peter) that Jesus called aside on three important occasions. James was the first apostle to be martyred—he was stabbed with a sword by King Herod Agrippa in Jerusalem (Acts 12:1-2). His relics have long been a popular pilgrimage destination in Compostela, Spain. He may have been the author of the letter in the New Testament, but scholars tend to think it was the other Apostle James (the Lesser).

James, the Son of Thunder, was bold. Look up Luke 9:54. He teaches us to be bold in what we ask of our Lord. He also accepts it when Jesus “right sizes” him. How do you mix boldness and humility in your recovery?

“Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all” (Mark 10:43-44).

Reflection by Brad Farmer