Feast of St. James, Apostle
St. James the Greater, Apostle and martyr (†44). Brother of St. John the Evangelist, he was one of the first to be called by Our Lord: “And going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him” (Mt. 21-22) James was present during the Transfiguration and the Agony of Jesus. By the order of Herod of Agrippa, he was executed in Jerusalem, becoming the first Apostle to receive the crown of martyrdom. He evangelized in Spain, where his mortal remains are preserved at the famous shrine bearing his name in Compostella.
Mass Readings
First Reading – 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)
R.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.
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.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing. R.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves. R.
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.”
Featured Saints
St. Cucuphas, martyr († fourth century). Born in Africa, he depart ed for Spain with the desire of being martyred. He was put to death by the sword in Barcelona, during the Diocletian persecution.
Blessed John Soreth, priest (†1471). Prior General of the Carmelite Order for twenty years; he restored observance of the rule in the convents of the Order. He obtained the erection of the Second and Third Carmelite Orders from Pope Clement V.
Blessed Anthony Lucci, bishop (†1752). Franciscan religious, elected Bishop of Bovino, Italy. Study, prayer, preaching and generosity toward the poor were the pillars of his life.
Blessed Marie Teresa Kowalska, virgin and martyr (†1941). Clarist religious imprisoned in the concentration camp of Dzialdowo, Poland, where she persevered in the Faith until death.
St. Glodesind, abbess (†sixth century). Founded the Abbey of St. Peter of Metz in France and served as its abbess.
St. Olympias, widow (†408). Being widowed at a young age, she dedicated herself to God’s service in Constantinople, and was a faithful collaborator of St. John Chrysostom.
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