ST JAMES: THE WILL TO SUFFER AND THE REWARD OF SPECIAL PRIVILEGE

Long before he became an apostle, James was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, his catch was mainly tilapia, that flat oval fish with scales which look like dusty silver with flashes of pink blush. He was in his wooden boat with his father, Zebedee and brother John when Jesus summoned him to the service of souls. James was one of the first to be called, and was also one of the first victim souls. Jesus asked him if he could "drink the cup", and James was first to agree readily and wholeheartedly. 

James did not ask for exemptions; he gave himself unconditionally to bear the same agony as his Lord. Lest we think he was ignorant; he knew he was signing up for martyrdom; whatever suffering this would entail. This is the very definition of being a victim soul. But like many souls who enter voluntary victimhood, James was given awesome revelations. 

James, along with his brother John and St Peter was a triumvirate to whom Jesus gave extraordinary prerogatives. Only these 3 men were the human witnesses to the raising of Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:37). They were the only ones who observed the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2) and only they were invited to pray with Christ during His agony (Matthew 26:37). 

Jesus did not accord James these honors for no reason, as though He were playing favorites. True, the Lord had special affection for his zealous personality and that of his brother, John, going as far as to praise their courageousness when He called them, "Sons of Thunder". But the Lord let James see Abigail rise from the dead, let him see Him talking with Moses and Elijah and hear God the Father praise Him, and then asked him to pray with Him while he sweated Blood under the olive trees in Gethsemane because James was of the mind to suffer as Jesus; they were united in their mission.

This all happened before James put his neck on the block and his executioner beheaded him with a sword. Yet, at the time of James's special privileges when Jesus walked alongside him, it was James's will to suffer that meant he was given such reward. James's will to make a complete gift of his very self meant that he was rewarded in equal measure before he suffered the sword. James did not give of himself so entirely with the ulterior motive that in return he would be given such honors. This self-interest would have diminished his gift of self. Rather because his intention was soley the salvation of souls, he was one of the select coterie to witness prophecy come true in the Person of Christ.

It is to St James the Greater (or "the Elder") that we may go for the grace to suffer. 

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The classic painting that accompanies this post was executed by Peter Paul Rubens. Today's feast which falls on July 25 commemorates the translation of James's remains.