"We Hold this Treasure in Earthen Vessels"

Today's Mass Readings Today is the feast of the apostle James. James was the brother of John (possibly the Evangelist). He is known as James the Great to distinguish him from James the Less, or James the brother of the Lord, who became a pillar of the Jerusalem community, and is thought to have been the first bishop of Jerusalem (Galatians 1, 19 and 2, 9). With Peter and John, James was clearly one of Jesus' closest friends during his ministry. James was martyred at the hands of Herod Agrippa I about 41-44 A.D. The story of James is a story of great transformation. The gospel reading portrays him as one who was self-centered desiring a place of honor. But very soon he would be sacrificing his life for the sake of his master. While Jesus could not promise him a seat on his right or left in his lifetime, his martyrdom sure has won him a place of honor in heaven and in the Church.

The life of the apostles is always hold great fascination for me. I am puzzled by their transformation. What was the cause of such gradual but radical transformation? The only answer I can suggest is that after the Pentecost, they were totally possessed by the spirit of Jesus. They allowed the life and message of Jesus to possess them, guide them and lead them. They did this with such sincerity and fervor that they could not imagine their life apart from Christ. They found a union between their life and that of Christ. This is the only answer to the transformation of the disciples. That is why they were able to say what the first reading proclaims today:

“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.” (2 Cor 4:8-10)

Let us use the feast of St. James to both allow the message and life of Jesus to transform us and to become authentic witnesses to that message… to the very end of our life.