Saint James, Apostle

Lives of the Saints

by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. edition

[1894]

July 25.—ST. JAMES, Apostle.

AMONG the twelve, three were chosen as the familiar companions of our blessed Lord, and of these James was one.

He alone, with Peter and John, was admitted to the house of Jairus when the dead maiden was raised to life. They alone were taken up to the high mountain apart, and saw the face of Jesus shining as the sun, and His garments white as snow; and these three alone witnessed the fearful agony in Gethsemane.

What was it that won James a place among the favorite three? Faith, burning, impetuous, and outspoken, but which needed purifying before the “Son of Thunder” could proclaim the gospel of peace. It was James who demanded fire from heaven to consume the inhospitable Samaritans, and who sought the place of honor by Christ in His Kingdom.

Yet Our Lord, in rebuking his presumption, prophesied his faithfulness to death. When St. James was brought before King Herod Agrippa, his fearless confession of Jesus crucified so moved the public prosecutor that he declared himself a Christian on the spot. Accused and accuser were hurried off together to execution, and on the road the latter begged pardon of the Saint. The apostle had long since forgiven him, but hesitated for a moment whether publicly to accept as a brother one still unbaptized.

God quickly recalled to him the Church’s faith, that the blood of martyrdom supplies for every sacrament, and, falling on his companion’s neck, he embraced him, with the words, “Peace be with thee!” Together then they knelt for the sword, and together received the crown.

Reflection.—We must all desire a place in the kingdom of our Father; but can we drink the chalice which He holds out to each? Possumus, we must say with SL. James—”We can”—but only in the strength of Him Who has drunk it first for us.

Saint James, Apostle Feast 2 Cor 4:7-15/Mt 20:20-28 (605) Pss Prop.

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints/james-the-greater-621
CATHOLICISM SAINTS ST. JAMES THE GREATER

*St. James the Greater – Ribera.

This artwork by J. Ribera shows the apostle, Saint James the Greater, Brother of Saint John and Patron Saint of Spain.

*James the Great, also known as James, son of Zebedee, Saint James the Great, Saint James the Greater, Saint James the Elder, or Saint Jacob (Aramaic: ܝܥܩܘܒ ܒܪ ܙܒܕܝ; Arabic: يعقوب; Hebrew: בן זבדי יַעֲקֹב‎, Yaʿăqōḇ; Latin: Iacobus Maximus; Greek: Ἰάκωβος; died AD 44), was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, the first apostle to be martyred according to the New Testament. Saint James is the patron saint of Spain and, according to tradition, his remains are held in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_the_Great

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands. “Establish the work of our hands” is a phrase from Psalm 90:17 in the Bible, where Moses asks God to establish the work of the people twice, emphasizing its importance. In this context, “establish” means to make something last a long time or become well-known. Moses’ prayer is a lament about the brevity of life and a request for God to bless the people’s work and make it meaningful. He also asks for wisdom and joy, so that people can make the most of their time and find joy in God’s presence.

Ps 90:17