Saturday 25th July 2020. Read Jeremiah 3:14-17, Canticle
Jeremiah 31:10-13, Matthew 13:18-23
“You know that the rulers of the
Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It
shall not be so among you, but whoever would be great among you must be your
servant.” (Matthew 20:25-26)
St. James was the first to
die a martyr under the sword of Herod. In our Gospel passage, we see the mother
of James and John presenting her sons before Jesus: “Please
permit that these two sons of mine may sit one at your left and the other at
your right hand.” It is a good thing that she asked not for perishable things
of this world but for seats in heaven. How often do I pray for things of
heaven?
For them to bring their
mother to Jesus, it shows they knew Jesus was close to his own mother and that
Jesus would not refuse whatever Mary asks. When Jesus asked: “Can you drink of
the cup? (Suffering, persecution, hardship etc. that would follow), it was not
the mother who responded but James and John: “Yes we can!” Am I willing to do
all in my power to achieve heaven?
Jesus neither answered “yes”
or “no” to their request, instead he said: “You will drink of the cup but as
for seats at my right and left, they belong to those for whom it has been
prepared by my Father.” This again is another lesson: You may be ready to drink
the cup like James and John but never forget that it is not by your efforts but
by the will of God.
St. Paul teaches us in our
first reading today, “let nothing discourage you.” Not even the fact that your
prayers are not granted for “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck
down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
At the end of the day, the
other disciples became indignant with James and John for coming out openly to
express their ambition for heaven. It became an occasion for Jesus to teach
them about servant leadership. We must never be like the pagans when we are
placed in charge of others. Never boss over people; the greater you become, the
humbler you should be. There is more glory in serving than being served.
James eventually drank the
cup. He died a martyr for the sake of the Gospel. As to whether he got the seat
in heaven, we shall find out when we eventually get there. Nevertheless, in the
meantime, let us ask for his intercession and learn from his determination and
zeal to achieve heaven. Let us make heaven a priority.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, grant that nothing may ever prevent me from
achieving eternal life with you in paradise. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Feast of St. James, the Apostle. Bible
Study: 2nd Corinthians 4:7-15, Psalm 126, Matthew 20:20-28).
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