Saint James the Greater, Apostle

Feast Day: July 25

Saint James the Greater was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. He was the son of Zebedee and the brother of John the Evangelist. James was called by Jesus while he was fishing with his brother. They left their nets and followed Jesus right away.

James was close to Jesus. He witnessed many important events. He saw the Transfiguration, where Jesus’ appearance changed and became bright. He was also present in the Garden of Gethsemane before Jesus was arrested.

James had a fiery spirit. He and his brother John were called the “Sons of Thunder.” Once, they asked Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven to punish a village that did not welcome them. Jesus rebuked them, teaching a lesson in mercy.

Saint James is honored as the first apostle to be martyred. King Herod Agrippa ordered his execution around 44 AD. James’ feast day is celebrated on July 25. Many people make pilgrimages to his shrine in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

He is called St. James the Greater because he was older than James the son of Alphaeus, who was also an apostle.

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Like his brother John, Saint James was a fisherman. He was working by the Sea of Galilee when Jesus called him. Jesus invited James and John to leave their nets behind and follow Him (Matthew 4:21-22). They responded right away.

Their quick response shows their faith and trust in Jesus. They left their old lives to follow a new path. This was a big change for them. They gave up everything familiar to serve Jesus.

This moment reminds us of our own call to follow Christ. Jesus invites us to leave our old ways behind. He wants us to live lives of faith, love, and service. This can be hard, but Jesus helps us.

We learn from James and John to trust in Jesus. Their example encourages us to follow Him with all our hearts. Like them, we can leave our old lives and embrace a new purpose in Christ.

Saint James was part of Jesus’ inner circle. He was close to Jesus along with Peter and John. They were present at important moments. One key event was the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor (Matthew 17:1-9). There, Jesus’ true nature was revealed.

This event made a big impact on James. He saw Jesus in a new light. It helped him understand who Jesus really was. The experience deepened his faith and commitment.

The Transfiguration reminds us of the power of prayer. Spending time with God is important. It helps us see His presence in our lives. Just like James, we can grow closer to God through prayer.

In our daily lives, we need moments of prayer and reflection. These times help us connect with God. They change our hearts and minds. We start to see God’s presence everywhere.

Saint James and his brother John were called the “Sons of Thunder.” They were passionate and fiery. Once, James wanted to call down fire from heaven on a village that rejected Jesus (Luke 9:54). Jesus guided him, showing a better way.

Jesus taught James to balance his zeal with love and humility. This was an important lesson. James learned to defend his faith with compassion. He understood that love was stronger than anger.

James’ story shows us how to use our passion for God’s Kingdom wisely. We should stand up for truth and righteousness. But we must also show love and mercy to others. This is how we follow Jesus’ example.

Our faith should inspire us to act. But it should also teach us to be kind. Like James, we can learn to balance our zeal with love. This helps us live as true followers of Christ.

James’ faith journey led to an unexpected turn when he faced martyrdom. King Herod Agrippa I had him executed by the sword (Acts 12:1-2). James was the first apostle to be martyred. His death showed his strong commitment to the Gospel.

James’ martyrdom reminds us that following Christ can be hard. It often requires sacrifice. In tough times, we are called to stay strong. Our sufferings help us unite with Christ. We become witnesses to His glory.

James’ journey from a fisherman to a martyr shows the power of faith. It shows how Christ’s grace can change us. James started with zeal and ended with deep faith and love.

His story encourages us to trust in Christ. It shows that we too can grow in faith. No matter where we start, we can become strong followers of Jesus.

Saint James the Greater left a lasting legacy. His strong faith and commitment to Jesus inspire many. As the first apostle to be martyred, his courage is remembered.

One of the most famous sites linked to Saint James is Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Many believe his remains are there. This place has become a major pilgrimage destination. People from all over the world travel there to honor him.

The Camino de Santiago, or the Way of Saint James, is a famous pilgrimage route. Pilgrims walk for days or even weeks to reach his shrine. This journey reflects James’ own journey of faith. It is a way for people to grow closer to God.

Saint James’ story teaches us about faith, courage, and commitment. His life shows us how to follow Jesus with our whole hearts. His legacy continues to inspire and guide people in their faith journey.

His feast day is July 25. He is the patron of laborers, veterinarians, equestrians, pharmacists, oyster fishers, woodcarvers, pilgrims, and Spain.

Following Jesus with Courage and Zeal

Saint James the Greater shows us what it means to follow Jesus with courage. He left everything—his job, his family, and his comfort—when Jesus called him. This decision wasn’t easy, but James trusted that Jesus had something greater planned. His life reminds us that following Jesus often means stepping into the unknown and trusting Him completely.

James was part of Jesus’ closest circle. He witnessed events like the Transfiguration, where Jesus’ glory was revealed. Moments like these strengthened James’ faith. But James also had a fiery personality. His nickname, “Son of Thunder,” shows how passionate he was. At times, he wanted to act out of anger, like when a village rejected Jesus. Yet Jesus taught him to lead with love and humility. This shows us that even our strong feelings can be shaped by Jesus for good.

James’ martyrdom shows the depth of his commitment. He was willing to give his life for the Gospel. That kind of courage and dedication challenges us. Are we willing to stand firm in our faith, even when it’s hard or unpopular? James reminds us that living for Christ sometimes means making sacrifices, but these sacrifices have meaning and purpose.

His legacy continues to inspire. Pilgrims still travel the Camino de Santiago to honor him. James’ life teaches us to walk our own path of faith with determination. Like James, we are called to grow in love, humility, and courage as we follow Jesus.

Reflection Questions:

• What is something you might need to leave behind to follow Jesus more closely?
• How can you respond with love and humility when you feel angry or frustrated?
• Are there ways you can show more courage in living out your faith?

Drinking from the Cup

The Feast of Saint Thomas reminds us of the call to give everything to follow Jesus. Katy Beedle Rice reflects on the Gospel where Jesus asks James and John if they can drink from His cup. This cup is not just about martyrdom but about living a life poured out in love. Jesus gave Himself completely, in every moment, through His body broken and blood poured out. The red vestments remind us of being filled with the Holy Spirit and giving ourselves fully to God.

Katy Beedle Rice explains that saying yes to the Eucharist means choosing a life of service, not glory or comfort. We are called to be like bread broken and wine poured out for others. This is how we share in Christ’s mission. With each breath and heartbeat, we are invited to live as the body of Christ, serving others with love and humility.

Serve People Powerfully

The reflection for Saint James the Greater highlights Jesus’ teaching on servant leadership. When the mother of James and John asked for her sons to sit at Jesus’ right and left in His kingdom, Jesus reminded them that true greatness is found in serving others. He explained that the rulers of the world use power to control, but His followers must live differently. The greatest among them must be the servant of all, just as Jesus came to serve and give His life for many.

Matthew Kelly reflects on this passage as a fresh call to serve people with love and humility. He points out that the gospel is full of paradoxes, like the first being last and the last being first. This message challenges us to live our faith by putting others first. Saint James the Greater reminds us that following Jesus means choosing service over status and living for others rather than ourselves.

True Greatness Through Service

In the reflection for the Feast of Saint James, Bishop Robert Barron highlights how James and John, through their mother, ask Jesus for prominent roles in His kingdom. This request reveals their misunderstanding of true greatness in God’s plan. While the desire for power and honor isn’t wrong, the brothers seek these for personal gain.

Bishop Barron explains that true greatness, according to Jesus, is not about self-exaltation but about humility and service. Jesus teaches that to be great, one must become a servant, emphasizing that real power and honor come from serving others selflessly.

A Journey from Impulsiveness to Faith

In the reflection for the Feast of Saint James, USCCB highlights the transformation of James, one of Jesus’s inner circle and a son of thunder. Initially impulsive, James sought positions of honor without understanding Jesus’s mission. However, after witnessing Jesus’s suffering, death, and resurrection, James embraced his calling. He courageously proclaimed the Gospel and became the first apostle martyred, as recorded in the New Testament.

Tradition holds that James also preached in Spain, and his burial site in Compostela is a major pilgrimage destination. The reflection underscores the lesson of greatness in Christ’s kingdom, which comes through love and selfless service.

The Journey That Awakens Faith

Saint James the Apostle followed Jesus’ command and traveled as far as Spain to share the Gospel. His journey became a path others still walk today, known as the Camino. It reminds us that faith often calls us to step out and go somewhere new—physically and spiritually.

Pilgrimages help us pause, reflect, and connect with God. They don’t have to be far. Even a short visit to a nearby church can be a sacred journey. Like Saint James, we are invited to take the next step in faith, trusting that God will meet us on the road.

The Second Letter to the Corinthians: Treasure in Clay Jars

Paul reminds the Corinthians that human weakness shows God’s power. This fits the larger message of 2 Corinthians, where Paul defends his ministry as one marked by suffering and humility, not worldly strength. God works through fragile people to show His glory.

This reading also echoes the theme of hope in resurrection that runs through the letter. Paul encourages endurance because God’s grace brings life and thanksgiving to many. The Feast of Saint Thomas reminds us that faith often grows through struggle.

Read more about the message of 2 Corinthians.

Psalm 126: Joy After Tears

Psalm 126 speaks of God’s restoration, filling His people with joy after hardship. This fits the psalm’s larger theme of remembering God’s past saving acts and trusting Him to do the same again. The psalmist encourages hope even when life feels dry and painful.

The promise that sorrowful sowing will end in joyful harvest reflects Israel’s faith in God’s faithful love. On the Feast of Saint Thomas, we are reminded that faith sometimes means waiting patiently for God’s renewal.

Discover the meaning of Psalm 126.

See a contemporary prayer based on Psalm 126.

The Gospel of Matthew: Greatness Through Service

In Matthew, Jesus teaches that greatness is found in service, not power. This fits Matthew’s larger message about the Kingdom of Heaven, where the last are first and true disciples follow Jesus in humility. It reflects Matthew’s focus on Jesus as the servant king.

The passage also connects to the theme of salvation through Jesus’ self-giving. He came to serve and give His life for many. On the Feast of Saint Thomas, we remember that discipleship is a call to serve others as Jesus did.

Learn more about the Gospel of Matthew.

Son of Thunder: James the Greater

Bold and striking, this image honors Saint James the Greater, one of the first apostles called by Jesus. His fiery spirit and deep faith are reflected in the vivid colors and expressive brushwork. Use this artwork in your bulletins or newsletters to celebrate his feast day or highlight the call to discipleship. Download it today to bring the witness of Saint James to life in your community.

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