*HOMILY FOR JULY 25 2020 FEAST OF SAINT JAMES, APOSTLE*
2 Corinthians: 4: 7-15; Psalm 126: 1bc-21b, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6; Matthew 20: 20-28
Today we celebrate the Feast of St. James, apostle. We know a little about St. James. He was the brother of St. John. The two were the sons of Zebedee, “sons of thunder.” They had been fishers before being called by Jesus to leave their nets and follow Him. St. James (with St. John and St. Peter) was privileged to be present at the Transfiguration, the raising of the dead girl, and the agony in the Garden. The readings today tell us today that even though St. James was one of the three disciples closest to Jesus, he was not perfect.
In the First Reading, St. Paul speaks about those who are followers of the Lord Jesus as being clay pots. They are made from the simple clay of the earth. They are common items. Yet in these earthen vessels, the Lord Jesus Himself is present. God uses these simple, earthen vessels to be the instruments through which the Most Precious Gift of all is brought and shared with all the peoples, in all nations and lands. Earthen vessels are more fragile than items made of metal. They are less valuable than containers which are made of silver or gold, inlaid with precious stones. Yet God chooses just common, ordinary, breakable items (people) to be the vehicles through which Jesus comes to others.
The psalm today speaks about the rejoicing of those coming back from exile. They are compared to the reapers who come back from the harvest fields carrying the product of their labors. After all the work that has been done, they can rejoice to see the fruit of their work in the abundant harvest.
In the Gospel, the mother of James and John makes a request of Jesus. Though, in Mark’s account, it is James and John who make this request, not their mother. She wants her two boys to have the places of distinction, sitting right next to Jesus in His Reign. Jesus asks James and John if they are willing “to drink the cup” which He (Jesus) will drink, which is an illusion to sharing in Jesus’ ministry, even unto death. They assertively affirm their willingness. Jesus remarks that they truly will follow in their Master’s steps, even to the point of suffering and death, yet the place of honor in the Kingdom of God. Dear Sisters and Brothers, the disciples of Jesus were not from some aristocratic families, not men of the priestly clan or royal lineage. They were people of the common working class, such as fishers and tax collectors. Jesus took these ordinary individuals and entrusted to them the continuation of His sacred ministry. They were truly human, with a human desire to be important. Yet, Jesus tells them what is most important is not to have a place where they can be waited on by others, but to be the waiters who serve others. This causes for serious reflection on my own attitude and your own attitude in being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Let us take to heart today’s readings and rejoice that we, ordinary and common vessels, are being permitted to be instruments in the divine plan of God’s salvation. Let us manifest our willingness to be a part by lovingly serving those who cross our paths. And may we rejoice that God’s preciousness is being brought forward for more and more people to enjoy. For it is the treasure of the Lord Jesus that we have had the privilege to carry within our simple, earthen vessels.
*MEDITATION* Do I consider myself a precious vessel, made of valuable metals and precious stones, or a simple clay pot? In what ways can I serve others as Jesus Himself came to serve rather than to be served? Who is most in need of my being an instrument of the Lord Jesus today?
*PRAYER* Lord God, through Your Goodness, You have chosen us to be the clay pots into which Your precious Son has come and continues to make His presence known to others. Our value comes not from who we are, but from Your Son’s presence in our lives. May we realize the privilege we have to walk behind these people of faith who have preceded us. Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
© Rev Utazi Prince Marie Benignus SFDPM
2 Corinthians: 4: 7-15; Psalm 126: 1bc-21b, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6; Matthew 20: 20-28
Today we celebrate the Feast of St. James, apostle. We know a little about St. James. He was the brother of St. John. The two were the sons of Zebedee, “sons of thunder.” They had been fishers before being called by Jesus to leave their nets and follow Him. St. James (with St. John and St. Peter) was privileged to be present at the Transfiguration, the raising of the dead girl, and the agony in the Garden. The readings today tell us today that even though St. James was one of the three disciples closest to Jesus, he was not perfect.
In the First Reading, St. Paul speaks about those who are followers of the Lord Jesus as being clay pots. They are made from the simple clay of the earth. They are common items. Yet in these earthen vessels, the Lord Jesus Himself is present. God uses these simple, earthen vessels to be the instruments through which the Most Precious Gift of all is brought and shared with all the peoples, in all nations and lands. Earthen vessels are more fragile than items made of metal. They are less valuable than containers which are made of silver or gold, inlaid with precious stones. Yet God chooses just common, ordinary, breakable items (people) to be the vehicles through which Jesus comes to others.
The psalm today speaks about the rejoicing of those coming back from exile. They are compared to the reapers who come back from the harvest fields carrying the product of their labors. After all the work that has been done, they can rejoice to see the fruit of their work in the abundant harvest.
In the Gospel, the mother of James and John makes a request of Jesus. Though, in Mark’s account, it is James and John who make this request, not their mother. She wants her two boys to have the places of distinction, sitting right next to Jesus in His Reign. Jesus asks James and John if they are willing “to drink the cup” which He (Jesus) will drink, which is an illusion to sharing in Jesus’ ministry, even unto death. They assertively affirm their willingness. Jesus remarks that they truly will follow in their Master’s steps, even to the point of suffering and death, yet the place of honor in the Kingdom of God. Dear Sisters and Brothers, the disciples of Jesus were not from some aristocratic families, not men of the priestly clan or royal lineage. They were people of the common working class, such as fishers and tax collectors. Jesus took these ordinary individuals and entrusted to them the continuation of His sacred ministry. They were truly human, with a human desire to be important. Yet, Jesus tells them what is most important is not to have a place where they can be waited on by others, but to be the waiters who serve others. This causes for serious reflection on my own attitude and your own attitude in being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Let us take to heart today’s readings and rejoice that we, ordinary and common vessels, are being permitted to be instruments in the divine plan of God’s salvation. Let us manifest our willingness to be a part by lovingly serving those who cross our paths. And may we rejoice that God’s preciousness is being brought forward for more and more people to enjoy. For it is the treasure of the Lord Jesus that we have had the privilege to carry within our simple, earthen vessels.
*MEDITATION* Do I consider myself a precious vessel, made of valuable metals and precious stones, or a simple clay pot? In what ways can I serve others as Jesus Himself came to serve rather than to be served? Who is most in need of my being an instrument of the Lord Jesus today?
*PRAYER* Lord God, through Your Goodness, You have chosen us to be the clay pots into which Your precious Son has come and continues to make His presence known to others. Our value comes not from who we are, but from Your Son’s presence in our lives. May we realize the privilege we have to walk behind these people of faith who have preceded us. Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
© Rev Utazi Prince Marie Benignus SFDPM
Comments
Post a Comment