To Walk The Walk

Today is the feast of the Apostle St. James, and as a pilgrim who has walked the Camino de Santiago; this day holds a special place in my heart. I don’t know at which point, but at some very poignant point on my walk, I had the astounding realization that I was walking hundreds of miles toward the tomb of one of Jesus’ three closest friends. I mean I knew that from the beginning, obviously, but it hit me in a very profound way after miles and miles of walking, and as I started to reflect on the life of St. James, today’s gospel came to mind. To me it is one of the most telling stories because it speaks to that place in each of us that wants to be on top, that wants more, that wants what the other has, and that wants the very best. Wanting more is not a bad thing, but when our pride takes the lead, or jealously, or envy, or covetousness, then we are treading on dangerous waters. The big three, Peter, James, and John, teach us how to keep these dangerous human tendencies in check, and each one of their own “come to Jesus” stories is compelling, giving us much hope for ourselves. Walking with Jesus is a lifelong journey and sometimes we need to learn from those that were closest to him, like his Apostles and his Mom. 

Today we see the fire that burns within James and John, “‘Can you drink the chalice I am going to drink?’ They replied, ‘We can.’” They simply wanted to please him and to be “all in” for him. Raise your hand if you want to please God and be “all in.” Every meaningful endeavor has a cost. Jesus knew this was a crucial moment for him to teach the gift of servant leadership to his fired up best friends. Sitting at his side might not be exactly what you think it means. “Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” When we walk alongside him, we choose to enter into service of one another. When I looked up the word “ransom” some very powerful words came up: redeem, rescue, exchange, release, set free, deliver, restore, and liberate. If we are to walk in the footsteps of those that set the path before us, we are to be willing to exchange our lives for the restoration of others. We are not saviors, for there is only one Savior, however, to drink from the same chalice, is to drink a life of sacrifice for the other. Even the Apostles couldn’t muster this kind of virtue until the Holy Spirit entered the scene at Pentecost, but the good news is that we have that same exact Holy Spirit living within each of us, and so we have all that we need to walk the walk. 

Let’s be captivated by today’s teaching moment and remember the humility that is required to follow Jesus. Reaching the tomb of St. James was a very emotional experience for me. I remember being consumed with gratitude for the tremendous courage that it took for James to go from wanting to sit at the right or left hand of Jesus in the kingdom, to laying down his life for that kingdom. I remember standing at his tomb and contemplating that James knows what Jesus’ laugh sounds like, he knows how Jesus sings the Psalms, he knows his favorite food, he knows his favorite prayer, he knows his daily routines, he knows the cries of his heart, he knows how the atmosphere changes in Jesus’ presence, he knows Jesus’ relationship with Mary, he has seen Jesus cry, and he knows Jesus the way I want to know Jesus. It is well with my soul.   

Feast of Saint James, Apostle
Lectionary: 605

Reading 1 2 COR 4:7-15

Brothers and sisters:
We hold this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.
We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.
For we who live are constantly being given up to death
for the sake of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

So death is at work in us, but life in you.
Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith,
according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke,
we too believe and therefore speak, 
knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus
will raise us also with Jesus
and place us with you in his presence.
Everything indeed is for you,
so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people
may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.

Responsorial Psalm PS 126:1BC-2AB, 2CD-3, 4-5, 6

R.(5) Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing. 
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves. 
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Alleluia SEE JN 15:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 20:20-28

The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons
and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.
He said to her,
"What do you wish?"
She answered him,
"Command that these two sons of mine sit,
one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom."
Jesus said in reply,
"You do not know what you are asking.
Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?"
They said to him, "We can."
He replied,
"My chalice you will indeed drink,
but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give
but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."
When the ten heard this,
they became indignant at the two brothers.
But Jesus summoned them and said,
"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and the great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."